Neuron‐Specific Enolase (NSE): A Specific Marker for Merkel Cells in Human Epidermis

Masuda, Tetsuo; Ikeda, Shigeo; Tajima, Kimiko; Kawamura, Taro

doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.1986.tb02903.x

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Nevertheless, we have also found NSE immunostaining in some Merkel cells, as previously reported (Masuda et al. ; Isgrò et al. ), which argues for a neuronal instead of epithelial origin.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…We demonstrated they are CK20, which is in line with the epithelial (Morrison et al 2009;Van Keymeulen et al 2009) and non-neural crest (Szeder et al 2003) origin of these cells. Nevertheless, we have also found NSE immunostaining in some Merkel cells, as previously reported (Masuda et al 1986;Isgr o et al 2015), which argues for a neuronal instead of epithelial origin. Thus, the immunohistochemical approach to Merkel cells does not clarify their filiation.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In addition, the occurrence of NSE immunoreactivity in Merkel cells (Masuda et al. ; Isgrò et al. ) was detected in both Piezo2‐negative (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…In some cells, Piezo2 clearly co-localized with these Merkel cell markers, whereas in others (as was the case for Syn), both proteins were independent but localized within the same cells. In addition, the occurrence of NSE immunoreactivity in Merkel cells (Masuda et al 1986;Isgr o et al 2015) was detected in both Piezo2-negative ( Fig. 3e) and Piezo2-positive ( Fig.…”

Section: Merkel Cells Display Piezo2 Immunoreactivitymentioning

confidence: 88%

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Merkel cells and Meissner's corpuscles in human digital skin display Piezo2 immunoreactivity

et al. 2017

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The transformation of mechanical energy into electrical signals is the first step in mechanotransduction in the peripheral sensory nervous system and relies on the presence of mechanically gated ion channels within specialized sensory organs called mechanoreceptors. Piezo2 is a vertebrate stretch-gated ion channel necessary for mechanosensitive channels in mammalian cells. Functionally, it is related to light touch, which has been detected in murine cutaneous Merkel cell-neurite complexes, Meissner-like corpuscles and lanceolate nerve endings. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of Piezo2 in human cutaneous mechanoreceptors has never been investigated. Here, we used simple and double immunohistochemistry to investigate the occurrence of Piezo2 in human digital glabrous skin. Piezo2 immunoreactivity was detected in approximately 80% of morphologically and immunohistochemically characterized (cytokeratin 20 , chromogranin A and synaptophisin ) Merkel cells. Most of them were in close contact with Piezo2 nerve fibre profiles. Moreover, the axon, but not the lamellar cells, of Meissner's corpuscles was also Piezo2 , but other mechanoreceptors, i.e. Pacinian or Ruffini's corpuscles, were devoid of immunoreactivity. Piezo2 was also observed in non-nervous tissue, especially the basal keratinocytes, endothelial cells and sweat glands. The present results demonstrate the occurrence of Piezo2 in cutaneous sensory nerve formations that functionally work as slowly adapting (Merkel cells) and rapidly adapting (Meissner's corpuscles) low-threshold mechanoreceptors and are related to fine and discriminative touch but not to vibration or hard touch. These data offer additional insight into the molecular basis of mechanosensing in humans.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In addition, the occurrence of NSE immunoreactivity in Merkel cells (Masuda et al. ; Isgrò et al. ) was detected in both Piezo2‐negative (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Merkel Cells Display Piezo2 Immunoreactivitymentioning

confidence: 88%

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Merkel cells and Meissner's corpuscles in human digital skin display Piezo2 immunoreactivity

et al. 2017

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“…This belief is supported by their mor phological resemblance to neurosecretory cells. Furthermore, neuropeptides such as met-enkephalin and VIP have been recog nized by immunohistochemistry in MC [3,4], These cells also express neuron-specific enolase, which is considered to be a marker of neuroendocrine cells [5,6], The neuro secretory granules of MC stain positively with the uranaffin reaction which represents a useful ultrastructural cytochemical mar ker for neuroendocrine granules [7], On the other hand, the other major hypothesis claims that MC derive from epithelial cells, and are modified kératinocytes. MC express cytokeratin-protein, this demonstrating their epithelial character [8][9][10].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Normal Merkel Cells Express a Synaptophysin-Like Immunoreactivity

Ortonne¹,

Petchot-Bacque

Verrando³

et al. 1988

Dermatology

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Synaptophysin (SY), a specific component of the membrane of presynaptic vesicles, has been reported as a novel marker for neurons, certain neuroendocrine cells and their neoplasms including neuroendocrine carcinomas of the skin. The origin of the Merkel cells (MC) being far from clear, this study was performed to establish if normal MC express SY. It is demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy using a monoclonal antibody SY38 to this glycoprotein that normal MC in man, rabbit and pigs express an SY-like reactivity. Although immunoblotting identification of the immunoreactive material gave negative results, it is likely that normal MC contain SY. By immunoelectron microscopy, the staining was located at the surface of cytoplasmic vesicles. In view of the possible involvement of SY in the Ca²⁺-dependent neurotransmitter release, the observation of an SY-like immunoreactivity in MC supports the view that they are epithelial neuroendocrine cells and that they may possess a neurosecretory function.

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Protein gene product 9.5-immunoreactive nerves and cells in human oral mucosa

et al. 1996

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Background Current conflicting information on the innervation of the human oral cavity indicates technical problems such as different detectability of the neural structures according to the various staining methods used and difficulties in reproducibility. The possibility of intraoral regional differences has not been properly considered. Methods Human biopsies of mucosa from different intraoral regions were prepared for immunohistochemistry using protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5; a marker for neuronal structures). Results Nerves were found consistently in all the biopsies. The neural pattern showed clear regional differences. Intraepithelial nerve fibers were found in the gingiva, labia, palate, within certain fungiform papillae, and in some salivary excretory ducts. Organized nerve endings were found in varying frequencies in all but one (sublingual) region, appearing as lamellar (Meissner‐like), coiled or glomerular neural structures. Merkel cell‐neurite complexes were observed in the buccal, gingival, and palatal epithelia. Immunoreactive cells with many similarities to Merkel cells but without a neural connection were also encountered. Conclusions Conflicting results from earlier innervation studies of the oral cavity could be attributed to regional innervation differences. The distribution of the nerves also casts doubt on some of the present theories concerning the function(s) of intraoral nerves, such as the free nerve endings and the Merkel cell‐neurite complexes. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Neuron‐Specific Enolase (NSE): A Specific Marker for Merkel Cells in Human Epidermis

Cited by 8 publications

References 3 publications

Merkel cells and Meissner's corpuscles in human digital skin display Piezo2 immunoreactivity

Merkel cells and Meissner's corpuscles in human digital skin display Piezo2 immunoreactivity

Normal Merkel Cells Express a Synaptophysin-Like Immunoreactivity

Protein gene product 9.5-immunoreactive nerves and cells in human oral mucosa

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