Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles of the human digital skin

Abstract

The presence of nerve growth factor receptors (NGFr) in sensory nerve corpuscles of human digital skin, primarily Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles, was investigated immunohistochemically using two monoclonal antibodies directed against human-NGFr. To ensure the localization of NGFr immunoreactivity (IR) alternative sections to that processed for NGFr detection were assayed for neurofilament protein (NFP) and S-100 protein which selectively label the axon and the periaxonic specialized cells (lamellar cells of Meissner's corpuscles; inner-core cells of Pacinian corpuscles), respectively. Occurrence of NGFr IR was observed in both types of sensory corpuscles. In Meissner's corpuscles NGFr-IR was found in the lamellar cells, whereas in the Pacinian corpuscles the lamellae of the inner core, outer core, and capsule displayed NGFr IR. Moreover, a positive IR was observed in the central axon of some Pacinian corpuscles. However, remarkable differences were encountered among Pacinian corpuscles in the pattern of NGFr IR distribution. Present results demonstrate the presence of NGFr IR in sensory nerve corpuscles of the human digital skin, suggesting that NGFr could be involved in the concentration of NGF and in the conveying of this molecule from the cutaneous sources to the cell body of NGF-dependent primary sensory neurons. However, the mechanisms involved in this process remain to be clarified.

Immunofluorescent Triple-Staining Technique to Identify Sensory Nerve Endings in Human Thumb Ligaments

“…Since p75 IR has been demonstrated in both inner-and outer-core cells of the Pacini corpuscle, while S100 is only found in the inner-core cells, we found that p75 consistently marked the Pacini corpuscle using the triple-stain technique, whereas the regular dual-stain technique with S100 did not reliably mark the Pacini corpuscle. Our findings of p75 in the lamellae of the Pacini corpuscles is in accordance with previously published reports on the use of p75 in immunohistochemical techniques and using light microscopy to mark mechanoreceptors in human ligaments [Hagert et al, 2004[Hagert et al, , 2005, human skin [Vega et al, 1993;Lopez et al, 1998], human cervix and uterus [Tingaker et al, 2006] as well as in the cat and rat mystacial pads [Stark et al, 2001].…”

“…The inner core consists of modified Schwann-related cells that circumscribe the parent axon, and which have been found to be immunoreactive to both S100 protein and nerve growth factor p75 [Vega et al, 1993[Vega et al, , 1994Del Valle et al, 1998]. The outer core of the Pacini corpuscle, on the other hand, consists of a larger region of multiple layers of perineural cells [Malinovsky et al, 1990], which has also been found to be immunoreactive to p75 [Vega et al, 1993], but not to S100 protein [Vega et al, 1994].…”

“…Expression of this transmembrane protein has been found on various mechanoreceptors, including Ruffini receptors and Pacinian corpuscles, as well as Schwann cells [Vega et al, 1993;Lopez et al, 1998;Stark et al, 2001]. p75 is expressed on the cell membrane and responsible for cell signaling related to neuronal growth, migration, differentiation and cell death.…”

General Innervation Pattern and Sensory Corpuscles in the Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament

“…p75 IR has been shown in the Schwann cells of Ruffini corpuscles, as well as in the unmyelinated axons and their Schwann cells in dental and periodontal nerves of the rat [Byers 1990]. In addition, p75 IR has been detected in the lamellar cells and capsule of Pacini corpuscles [Vega et al, 1993;Stark et al, 2001]. p75 IR has also been observed in the perineurium of axons in the human digital skin [Lopez et al, 1998], observations which correspond to the findings of p75 in perineurial locations of nerve fascicles in this study.…”

Immunohistochemistry of human cutaneous Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles

“…8100 Protein. The S-100 protein was the first Ca2+-BP to be localized in SNF of different animal species including man (Haro et al, 1991;Iwanaga et al, 1982;Ramieri et al, 1992;Vega et al, 1992Vega et al, , 1993Vega et al, , 1994a, rat (Hachisuka et al, 1984(Hachisuka et al, , 1987Vega et al, 1990a), duck and pigeon .…”