Since their first description in 1875, Merkel cells have remained an elusive cell type. Their origin as well as their classification as mechanoreceptors have been a matter of controversy and intense discussion. The peptidergic granules in these cells are suggestive of neuroendocrine functions, but their discovery has raised additional questions regarding Merkel cell function.

Essential aspects of structure, development and function of normal Merkel cells and Merkel cell carcinoma are presented in short chapters, providing concise and up-to date information on this fascinating cell type.

Morphology

Merkel Cell-Nerve Endings Functioning as Mechanoreceptors in Vertebrates
Three Dimensional Microanatomy of Merkel Cells
Staining of Living Merkel Cells with FM Dyes
Distribution of Merkel Cells in Normal Skin and Mucosae in Dogs
Merkel Cells in Transplanted Flaps
Merkel Cells in Malassez Epithelium
Morphological Changes in Merkel Cells of Mucosa Underlying Dentures
A Study on the Sensory System of Peri-Implant Tissue - Behavior of Merkel Cells and Nerve Fibres
Merkel Cell Nerve Endings in Sinus Hairs of Young and Aged Rats
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Normal Canine Merkel Cells
Merkel Cells in the Human Fetal and Adult Esophagus
Cellular Localization of Prepro-Orexin and Orexin Receptors (OX1R and OX2R) in Merkel Cells
Possible Functional Significance of Spatial Relationship Between Merkel Cells and Langerhans Cells in Human Hair Follicles
Neurobiology of the Murine Pelage Hair Follicle
Development
Mammalian Merkel Cells Are Neural Crest Derivatives
Merkel Cells Are Postmitotic Cells of Neural Crest Origin
Dissociation, Quantification and Culture of Normal Human Merkel Cells Among Epidermal Cell Populations Derived from Glabrous and Hairy Skin Sites
Growth of Nerve Fibers to Merkel Cells Observed in Co-Culture of Sensory Ganglia and Sinus Hair Follicles
Merkel Cell Development is Independent of L1 Adhesion Molecule
Merkel Cell Mechanoreceptors
The Functional Significance of the Vibrissal System of Marine Mammals
Confocal Microscopic Analysis of Full Merkel Cell Innervation in Cat Mystacial Vibrissa Follicles
Voltage Dependent Calcium Channels in Merkel Cells of Hamster Oral Mucosa
Localization of Signal Transduction Proteins in the Merkel Cell Axon Complex
Are Glutamate Receptors Involved inTransmission at the Junction Between Merkel Cell and Nerve Terminal?
Glutamate Receptor-Like Immunoreactivity in Rat Vibrissal Merkel Cells
Transduction in Merkel Cell Mechanoreceptors - What Is the Job of the Merkel Cell?
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel Cell Carcinoma - A Short Review
Histochemistry of Glycoconjugates in Merkel Cell Carcinomas
Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Two Distinct Subtypes of Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Expression of Developmentally Regulated Transcription Factors in Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Expression Patterns of Connexins in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Adjacent Epidermis
Expression Patterns of Tight Junction Proteins in Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Ganglioside Profiles of Merkel Cell Carcinoma
MOC-31, Cytokeratin 7 and S-100 Protein Immunoreactivity in Merkel Cell and Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel Cell Carcinomas Possess Telomerase Activity
Chemotherapy in Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Distant Metastasis - Proposal of a Pan-European Clinical Trial
Authors Index.