Growth of Nerve Fibers to Merkel Cells Observed in Co-Culture of Sensory Ganglia and Sinus Hair Follicles

The study investigated the role of Merkel cells in guiding sensory nerve fibers to the skin and hairs by co-culturing sinus hair follicles and sensory ganglia in a collagen gel. The experiment demonstrated that nerve fibers from sensory ganglia grew towards the superior enlargement of hair follicles, where Merkel cells were enriched, suggesting that Merkel cells likely have the capability to attract sensory nerve fibers. This was supported by the presence of live Merkel cells stained with FM1-43 dye and immunostaining against cytokeratin 20 and synaptophysin 1, which showed newly grown sensory nerve fibers surrounding the hair follicle.