The Cellular Basis of Mechanosensory Merkel-Cell Innervation During Development

February 2019 in “ eLife ”

Blair A. Jenkins, Natalia M. Fontecilla, Ping Lu, Elaine Fuchs, Ellen A Lumpkin

Merkel cells keratinocytes Bmp4 Noggin BMP signaling hair-follicle specification Keratin-17

TLDR BMP signaling is essential for the development of touch domes.

The study investigated the development of mechanosensory Merkel cell-neurite complexes in mouse touch domes, focusing on the role of BMP signaling and K17-positive keratinocytes. Researchers found that disrupting BMP signaling at E14.5 impaired touch-dome formation, while K17-positive keratinocytes were essential for establishing innervation patterns. Merkel cells were not required for proper touch-dome innervation, as shown by experiments with Atoh1 null mice. The findings highlighted the importance of K17-positive keratinocytes and BMP signaling in the development and maintenance of sensory structures in the skin.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

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307 citations, November 1968 in “Journal of neurophysiology”

Cats' hairy skin has different touch receptors connected by myelinated fibers.

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research The Cellular Basis of Mechanosensory Merkel-Cell Innervation During Development

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