Abstract
The distributions of Merkel cells and Langerhans cells within human hair follicles
have been reported. However, there has been no description of the relationship between
Merkel cells and Langerhans cells, which were discovered by 19th century German pathologists.
Merkel cells and Langerhans cells share some similar characteristics such as the localization
of human hair follicles, a close association with peripheral nerves and the expression
of several neuropeptides. Merkel cells were stained with CK20 or CAM5.2, while Langerhans
cells were stained with CD1a or S-100 protein. We thus immunohistochemically confirmed
the preferential localization of Merkel cells and Langerhans cells in normal human
hair follicles. Using a double staining technique, two- and three-dimensional observations
demonstrated that a small proportion of Merkel cells were closely contacted with Langerhans
cells below the sebaceous gland level, presumably indicating the bulge area. Merkel
cells and Langerhans cells connected directly or approached each dendrite within the
basal layer of the outer root sheath. For the first time, we demonstrated a close
anatomical relationship between Merkel cells and Langerhans cells within the bulge
area of human hair follicles where follicular stem cells may be present. These morphological
observations suggest a functional interaction between follicular Merkel cells and
Langerhans cells. We herein hypothesize that Merkel cells communicate with Langerhans
cells by characteristic dendrites in which some neuropeptides or cytokines may be
stored.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 19,
2002
Received in revised form:
July 31,
2002
Received:
May 13,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
