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.

From the contents: Merkel cells as mechanoreceptors in vertebrates

3D-microanatomy of Merkel cells
FM dye staining of living Merkel cells
Distribution of Merkel cells in normal skin and mucosae in dogs
Merkel cells in transplanted flaps
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
Possible functional significance of spatial relationship between Merkel cells and Langerhans cells in human hair follicles
Mammalian Merkel cells as neural crest derivatives
Dissociation and quantification of normal human Merkel cells
Confocal microscopic analysis of full Merkel cell innervation in cat mystacial vibrissa follicles
Voltage dependent Ca-channels in Merkel cells of hamster oral mucosa
Localization of signal transduction proteins in the Merkel cell axon complex
Possible glutamate receptor involvment in transmission at the Merkel cell - nerve terminal junction ?
Transduction in Merkel cell mechanoreceptors
Merkel cell carcinoma - A short review
Glycoconjugates in Merkel cell carcinomas
Two distinct subtypes of Merkel cell carcinoma
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, S-100 protein and cytokeratin 7 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.