Advances in the Development of Merkel Cells

RUI Chen¹ , YUAN Huipu¹, ZHANG Yajun¹, CHEN Jing^2,3, WANG Chaochen^2,3, XIAO Ying¹*

(¹Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310020, China; ²Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; ³Union College of Edinburgh University, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China)

Abstract:

Merkel cells are light touch receptors that sense mechanical force and participate in identifying the shape and texture of objects. They are located in the basal layer of skin epidermis and the epithelial tissue that senses mechanical force in vivo. As receptors, Merkel cells are important in individual survival. A variety of signaling pathways are involved in the development and regulation of Merkel cells. However, the developmental mechanism is still not fully understood. This review summarizes the origin of Merkel cells and the related signaling pathways involved in their development, and outlines the existing regulatory mechanisms of Merkel cells. Understanding the development mechanism of Merkel cells may help to optimize the long-term culture system in vitro, so as to provide a better research system for Merkel cells study, which will also be of great significance to the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of tactile abnormalities related diseases.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2022.02.0021