Lectin-binding properties of the Merkel cell and other root sheath cells in perinatal rat vibrissae

Rosati, Dora P.; Nurse, Colin A.; Diamond, Jack

doi:10.1007/bf00214241

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Merkel cells were first described by Friedrich Merkel (1) and are large epithelial cells disseminated within the stratum basale of the epidermis and of the outer root sheath of hair follicles of various species which are connected to the neighboring keratocytes by desmosomes (2). In the rat vibrissae Merkel cells react with WGA, UEA‐I, Con A, SBA, RCA‐I, while DBA, BSI and II and PNA without neuraminidase predigestion did not react with these cells (3). Human tumors presumably derived from these Merkel cells were originally characterized by Toker (4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lectin and proteoglycan histochemistry of Merkel cell carcinomas

Sames

Schumacher

Halata

et al. 2001

Experimental Dermatology

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Changes in carbohydrate residue expression and in proteoglycan distribution occur during different stages of tumor development and progression. However, few data concerning carbohydrate residue analysis as performed by lectin histochemistry and proteoglycan distribution of Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare malignant tumor of the skin, have been reported. Hence, lectin- and proteoglycan immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin wax material of 9 cases of Merkel cell carcinomas characterized by cytokeratin and neurofilament immunohistochemistry. The lectin binding pattern of tumor cells varied between lectins with different sugar binding specificities, while within a given nominal sugar specificity intensities were remarkably similar between tumors from different patients. The most intensive reaction was observed using Con A (mannose/glucose-specific) followed by LCA with the same specificity and the N-Acetyl glucosamine-specific lectins (WGA, UDA, CMA), while no fucose binding sites were detected (UEA-I). In addition, N-Acetyl galactosamine residues were only occasionally detected. The lectin binding pattern of Merkel cell carcinoma cells indicated that predominantly N-linked glycans and not O-linked glycans, typical for mucins of most epithelia, were present. Hence these tumor cells were relatively undifferentiated and resembled stem cells more closely than differentiated epithelia. The tumor stroma was especially evaluated in this study and showed a lectin reaction, which was intermediate between the tumor cells and extra-tumoral stroma. For example, the reactions of N-Acetyl galactosamine-specific lectins were intensive in the extra-tumoral stroma but nearly negative in tumor cells, while the lectin reaction of the intra-tumoral stroma was similar to the cellular reaction. These results indicated an influence of tumor cells on the stromal constituents. Antibodies against chondroitin type glycosaminoglycans reacted with the tumor stroma and the pericellular substance around the tumor cells most intensely in - and around the major tumor septae which, in general, were well vascularized. The most intensive immunoreactivity was detected using the chondroitin-6-sulfate antibody. The cellular and membrane-associated reaction for heparan sulfate was less intensive in comparison to epidermal cells. In conclusion the pattern of lectin-binding sites, the high chondroitin(sulfate) specific reactivity and the relatively low intensity of heparan sulfate immunohistochemistry indicate a low degree of differentiation and high malignity of the tumors, which is consistent with the clinical behavior of Merkel cell carcinomas.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lectin and proteoglycan histochemistry of Merkel cell carcinomas

Sames

Schumacher

Halata

et al. 2001

Experimental Dermatology

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The early embryogenesis of papillary (sweat duct) ridges in primate glabrous skin: The dermatotopic map of cutaneous mechanoreceptors and dermatoglyphics

Dell

Munger

1986

J of Comparative Neurology

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The present study documents the early innervation of the epidermis prior to the onset of differentiation of the papillary (sweat duct) ridge in glabrous digital skin of rhesus monkey embryos measuring 45, 50 and 55 mm (crown-rump) length. We observed small papillary ridges, spaced at a distance of approximately 40 microns, projecting into the dermis in the center of the distal glabrous digital pad of digits 2-5 in the 55-mm embryo. The other digital pads lacked any sign of ridge formation. A two-dimensional, approximately hexagonal grid of afferent nerves was present in the superficial dermis of all digital and palmar pads. At regular intervals of approximately 40 microns, afferent nerves ascended from the superficial dermal nerve plexus and innervated the overlying epidermis. By electron microscopy, axonal growth cones were identified contacting Merkel cells that projected several microns down into the superficial dermis in the digital pad of digit 3. Thus, the earliest wave of differentiated dorsal root ganglion neuroblasts innervates Merkel cells. Schwann cells partially encircled these growing axon tips and could be identified by the presence of rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes. The youngest embryo studied had no sign of ridge formation; however, axons ascended from the superficial dermal nerve net at 30-40-microns intervals to innervate the epidermis. We conclude that afferent nerve fibers provide a two-dimensional grid that could modulate the spacing and arrangement of the papillary or sweat duct ridges of successive digits. Such an interaction is possible between digits based on the overlapping dermatotopic maps of each rete ridge. An abnormal fingerprint could thus reflect abnormal dorsal root ganglion neuroblasts expressed through mesenchyme and epidermis.

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