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Merkel Cell Carcinoma pp 3–19Cite as

Basic Science of the Merkel Cell

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Abstract

In 1875, Friedrich Sigmund Merkel identified a unique epidermal cell type closely associated with sensory nerve endings. These “Tastzallen” or “touch cells” have subsequently been renamed Merkel cells in his honor. Recent genetic and electrophysiological studies offer conclusive evidence that Merkel cells play a critical role in mechanoreception. Based on expression of bioactive peptides, it has also been suggested that Merkel cells may participate in skin homeostasis.

The most direct link between Merkel cells and human disease comes in the form of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and deadly carcinoma of the skin. Several lines of evidence indicate that Merkel cells and MCC arise from the same cellular lineage, but the molecular and genetic pathways that control disease pathogenesis are unknown. The recent discovery of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), which appears to be involved in MCC initiation, and increased insight into pathways that control normal Merkel cell specification and development offer exciting new avenues for understanding and treating this devastating disorder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, 44106, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Stephen M. Ostrowski

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Rangos Research Building Room 8129, One Children’s Hospital Drive, Pittsburgh, 15224, PA, USA

    Stephen Michael Maricich

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  1. Stephen M. Ostrowski
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Correspondence to Stephen Michael Maricich .

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  1. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA

    Murad Alam

  2. University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, 44106, Ohio, USA

    Jeremy S. Bordeaux

  3. Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, 94115, California, USA

    Siegrid S. Yu

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Ostrowski, S.M., Maricich, S.M. (2013). Basic Science of the Merkel Cell. In: Alam, M., Bordeaux, J., Yu, S. (eds) Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6608-6_1

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