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Distribution, fine structure, and three-dimensional innervation of lamellar corpuscles in rat plantar skin

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Abstract

Lamellar corpuscles function as mechanoreceptors in the skin, composed of axon terminals and lamellae constructed by terminal Schwann cells. They are classified into Pacinian, Meissner, and simple corpuscles based on histological criteria. Lamellar corpuscles in rat dermal papilla cells have been reported; however, the morphological aspects have yet to be thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we analyzed the enzyme activity, distribution, fine structure, and three-dimensional innervation of lamellar corpuscles in rat plantar skin. The lamellar corpuscles exhibiting non-specific cholinesterase were densely distributed in rat footpads, evident as notable skin elevations, especially at the apex, the highest portion of the ridges in each footpad. In contrast, only a few lamellar corpuscles were found in other plantar skin areas. Lamellar corpuscle was considered composed of a flat axon terminal Schwann cell lamellae, which were roughly concentrically arranged in the dermal papilla. These histological characteristics correspond to those of the simple corpuscle. Moreover, the axon tracing method revealed that one trunk axon innervated several simple corpuscles. The territory of the trunk axons overlapped with each other. Finally, the animals’ footprints were analyzed. During the pausing and walking phases, footpads are often in contact with the floor. These results demonstrate that the type of lamellar corpuscles in the dermal papillae of rat plantar skin is a simple corpuscle and implies that their distribution pattern in the plantar skin is convenient for efficient sensing and transmission of mechanical stimuli from the ground.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Ms. Hitomi Komatsu for her technical assistance with histology and electron microscopy. We appreciate the efforts of Dr. Edward L. White (Ben Gurion University, Israel) and Editage English editing company (https://www.editage.jp/) for editing the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists 20K16114.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata City, Osaka, Japan

    Taro Koike, Susumu Tanaka, Masahiko Kase, Yukie Hirahara, Shinichi Hayashi, Souichi Oe, Yousuke Nakano & Masaaki Kitada

  2. Department of Anatomy, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Nantan City, Kyoto, Japan

    Satomi Ebara & Kenzo Kumamoto

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  1. Taro Koike
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  2. Satomi Ebara
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Correspondence to Taro Koike.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All experiments were approved by the Animal Committee of the Meiji University of Integrative Medicine and the Animal Committee of Kansai Medical University. All studies were performed in accordance with the principles of laboratory animal care provided by the National Institute of Health.

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Koike, T., Ebara, S., Tanaka, S. et al. Distribution, fine structure, and three-dimensional innervation of lamellar corpuscles in rat plantar skin. Cell Tissue Res 386, 477–490 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-021-03525-5

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