Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The development of the Merkel cells in the tentacles of Xenopus laevis larvae

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The Merkel cells in the larval tentacles of Xenopus laevis were examined by TEM. Different forms of Merkel cells were found, depending on the age of the larvae or the location in the tentacles. These forms have the appearance of intermediate states between Merkel cells and superficial epidermal cells; thus an epidermal origin for the Merkel cells seems more likely than an immigration from the neural crest. The forms differ in (1) their location in the epidermis, (2) their shape, (3) the number and extension of their desmosomes, (4) the content and distribution of dense-core granules, and (5) the outgrowth of their finger-like processes. Also the relation to a nerve ending is different. By marking Merkel cells with quinacrine, fluorescence spots were observed between the superficial and basal epidermal cells or, in the very tip, within the superficial epidermal cells. These latter spots represent immature Merkel cells, as confirmed by TEM. This indicates a development of Merkel cells from superficial epidermal cells and migration towards the basal layer. Dermal Merkel cells were nerver observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Breathnach AS (1977) Electron microscopy of cutaneous nerves and receptors. J Invest Dermatol 69:8–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Breathnach AS (1980) The mammalian and avian Merkel cell. In: Spearman RIC, Riley PA (eds) The skin of vertebrates. Academic Press London, Linnean Society Symposium Series no. 9, pp 283–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Breathnach AS, Robins E (1970) Ultrastructural observations on Merkel cells in human foetal skin. J Anat 106:411

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown AL (1970) The African clawed toad Xenopus laevis. Butterworths, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowe R, Whitear M (1978) Quinacrine fluorescence of Merkel cells in Xenopus laevis. Cell Tissue Res 190:273–283

    Google Scholar 

  • English KB (1974) Cell types in cutaneous type I mechanoreceptors (Haarscheiben) and their alterations with injury. Am J Anat 141:105–126

    Google Scholar 

  • English KB, Burgess PR, Kavka-van Norman D (1980) Development of rat Merkel cells. J Comp Neurol 194:475–496

    Google Scholar 

  • Fortman GJ, Winkelmann RK (1973) A Merkel cell nuclear inclusion. J Invest Dermatol 61:334–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Garant PR, Feldman J, Cho MI, Cullen MR (1980) Ultrastructure of Merkel cells in the hard palate of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). Am J Anat 157:155–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottschaldt KM, Vahle-Hinz C (1981) Merkel cell receptors: structure and transducer function. Science 214:183–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottschaldt KM, Vahle-Hinz C (1982) Evidence against transmitter function of Met-enkephalin and chemosynaptic impulse generation in “Merkel cell” mechanoreceptors. Exp Brain Res 45:459–463

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould VE, Moll R, Moll I, Lee I, Franke WW (1985) Biology of disease. Neuroendocrine (Merkel) cells of the skin: hyperplasias, dysplasias, and neoplasms. Lab Invest 52:334–353

    Google Scholar 

  • Halata Z (1979) Spezifische Innervation. In: Orfanos CE (ed) Haar und Haarkrankheiten, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, pp 123–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Halata Z (1981) Postnatale Entwicklung sensibler Nervenendigungen in der unbehaarten Nasenhaut der Katze. Bibl Anat 19:210–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Halata Z, Munger BL (1986) The neuroanatomical basis for the protopathic sensibility of the human glans penis. Brain Res 371:205–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartschuh W, Weihe E, Büchler M, Helmstaedter V, Feurle GE, Forssmann WG (1979) Met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in Merkel cells. Cell Tissue Res 201:343–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartschuh W, Weihe E, Büchler M (1980) Met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in Merkel cells of various species. J Invest Dermatol 74:453

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartschuh W, Weihe E, Yanaihara N, Reinecke M (1983) Immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in Merkel cells of various mammals: Evidence for a neuromodulator function of the Merkel cell. J Invest Dermatol 81:361–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartschuh W, Reinecke M, Weihe E, Yanaihara N (1984) VIP-immunoreactivity in the skin of various mammals: Immunohistochemical, radioimmunological and experimental evidence for a dual localization in cutaneous nerves and Merkel cells. Peptides 5:239–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartschuh W, Weihe E, Reinecke M (1986) The Merkel cell. In: Bereiter-Hahn J, Matoltsy AG, Richards KS (eds) Biology of the integument, Vol 2 Vertebrates, Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo, pp 605–620

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashimoto K (1972) The ultrastructure of human embryos. X. Merkel tactile cells in the finger and nail. J Anat 111:99–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Iggo A, Andres KH (1982) Morphology of cutaneous receptors. Ann Rev Neurosci 5:1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Iggo A, Muir AR (1969) The structure and transducer function of a slowly adapting touch corpuscle in hairy skin. J Physiol (Lond) 200:763–796

    Google Scholar 

  • Klauer G (1986) Die Mechanoreceptoren in der Haut der Wirbeltiere: Morphologie und Klassifizierung. Z Mikrosk Anat Forsch Leipzig 100:273–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Milloning G (1961) Advantage of a phosphate buffer for Osmium solutions in fixation. J Appl Physiol 32:1637

    Google Scholar 

  • Moll R, Moll I, Franke WW (1984) Identification of Merkel cells in human skin by specific cytokeratin antibodies: changes of cell density and distribution in fetal and adult plantar epidermis. Differentiation 28:136–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Munger BL (1965) The intraepidermal innervation of the snout skin of the opossum. J Cell Biol 26:79–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Munger BL, Halata Z (1984) The sensorineural apparatus of the human eyelid. Am J Anat 170:181–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Nafstad PHJ (1986) On the avian Merkel cells. J Anat 145:25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Nafstad PHJ, Baker RE (1973) Comparative ultrastructural study of normal and grafted skin in the frog, Rana pipiens, with special reference to neuroepithelial connections. Z Zellforsch 139:451–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwkoop PD, Faber J (1967) Normal table of Xenopus laevis (Daudin), 2nd edn. North Holland Publ Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Nurse CA, Mearow KM, Holmes M, Visheau B, Diamond J (1983) Merkel cell distribution in the epidermis as determined by quinacrine fluorescence. Cell Tissue Res 228:511–524

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovalle WK (1979) Neurite complexes with Merkel cells in larval tentacles of Xenopus laevis. Cell Tissue Res 204:233–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Páč L (1984) Contribution to ontogenesis of Merkel cells. Z Mikrosk Anat Forsch Leipzig 98:36–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Parducz A, Leslie RA, Cooper E, Turner CJ, Diamond J (1977) The Merkel cells and the rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors of the salamander skin. Neurosci 2:511–521

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosati D, Nurse CA, Diamond J (1984) Lectin-binding properties of the Merkel cell and other root sheath cells in perinatal rat vibrissae. Cell Tissue Res 236:373–381

    Google Scholar 

  • Runne U, Mahrle G, Orfanos CE (1977) Die Merkelzelle. Elektronenmikroskopische Darstellung in Epithel und Dermis des Menschen. Hautarzt [Suppl] 28 (II):355–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Saurat JH, Didierjean L (1984) The epidermal Merkel cell is an epithelial cell. Dermatologica 169:117–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Saurat JH, Merot Y, Didierjean L, Dahl D (1984a) Normal rabbit Merkel cells do not express neurofilament proteins. J Invest Dermatol 82:641–642

    Google Scholar 

  • Saurat JH, Didierjean L, Skalli O, Siegenthaler G, Gabbiani G (1984b) The intermediate filament proteins of rabbit normal epidermal Merkel cells are cytokeratins. J Invest Dermatol 83:431–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxod R (1978a) Development of cutaneous sensory receptors in birds. In: Jacobson M (ed) Handbook of sensory physiology, Development of sensory systems. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, vol 9, pp 337–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxod R (1978b) Ultrastructure of Merkel corpuscles and so-called “transitional” cells in the white leghorn chicken. Am J Anat 151:453–474

    Google Scholar 

  • Straile WE, Tipnis UR, Mann SJ, Clark, WH (1975) Lattice and rodlet nuclear inclusions in Merkel cells in rabbit epidermis. J Invest Dermatol 64:178–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Tachibana T, Nawa T (1980) Merkel cell differentiation in the labial mucous epithelium of the rabbit. J Anat 131:145–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Tachibana T, Sakakura Y, Ishizeki K, Iida S, Nawa T (1983) An experimental study of the influence of sensory nerve fibers on Merkel cell differentiation in the labial mucosa of the rabbit. Arch Histol Jpn 46:469–477

    Google Scholar 

  • Tweedle CD (1978) Ultrastructure of Merkel cell development in aneurogenic and control amphibian larvae (Ambystoma). Neurosci 3:481–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitear M (1974) The nerves in frog skin. J Zool Lond 172:503–529

    Google Scholar 

  • Winkelmann RK (1977) The Merkel cell system and a comparison between it and the neurosecretory or APUD cell system. J Invest Dermatol 69:41–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Winkelmann RK, Breathnach AS (1973) The Merkel cell. J Invest Dermatol 60:2–15

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Zoologie der Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, D-8400, Regensburg, Germany

    Wolfgang Eglmeier

Authors
  1. Wolfgang Eglmeier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 4/G1)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Eglmeier, W. The development of the Merkel cells in the tentacles of Xenopus laevis larvae. Anat Embryol 176, 493–500 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310089

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310089

Key words

Search

Navigation