Presence of Merkel cells in sun-exposed and not sun-exposed skin: a quantitative study.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Presence of Merkel cells in sun-exposed and not sun-exposed skin: a quantitative study.

AU - Moll, Ingrid

AU - Bladt, U

AU - Jung, E G

PY - 1990

Y1 - 1990

N2 - Merkel cells (MCs), the neuroendocrine cells of the skin cannot be identified with certainty using conventional light microscopic staining methods. Using immunoperoxidase microscopy with antibodies specific for cytokeratin 18, which has been established as a marker protein of MCs, we have evaluated the numbers of MCs per mm2 skin in normal and sun-damaged upper arm skin. The sun-exposed skin contained twice as many MCs as the not sun exposed skin. Further quantification of MC density at various body sites (trunk, leg) showed a rather variable but often unexpectedly high MC density. The possible role of MC in development of actinic elastosis is discussed.

AB - Merkel cells (MCs), the neuroendocrine cells of the skin cannot be identified with certainty using conventional light microscopic staining methods. Using immunoperoxidase microscopy with antibodies specific for cytokeratin 18, which has been established as a marker protein of MCs, we have evaluated the numbers of MCs per mm2 skin in normal and sun-damaged upper arm skin. The sun-exposed skin contained twice as many MCs as the not sun exposed skin. Further quantification of MC density at various body sites (trunk, leg) showed a rather variable but often unexpectedly high MC density. The possible role of MC in development of actinic elastosis is discussed.

M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz

VL - 282

SP - 213

EP - 216

JO - ARCH DERMATOL RES

JF - ARCH DERMATOL RES

SN - 0340-3696

IS - 4

M1 - 4

ER -