A Pure, Monolayer Culture of Merkel Cells from Sinus Hair Follicles of the Rat

Researchers successfully cultured Merkel cells from the sinus hair follicles of newborn rats in a serum-free medium, identifying over 90% of the cells as Merkel cells using quinacrine fluorescence. These cells displayed a flat round morphology with thin lamellae extensions. However, most Merkel cells died within 48-72 hours in the serum-free medium. The addition of fetal calf serum to the medium prevented cell death and caused the cells to adopt a fibroblast-like morphology.