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

Merkel cells were isolated from the whisker pads of newborn rats and cultured in a serum-free medium, with over 90% identified by quinacrine fluorescence. In monolayer culture, they exhibited a flat round shape with thin lamellae. Most cells died within 48-72 hours in the serum-free medium, but adding fetal calf serum prevented cell death and caused the cells to adopt a fibroblast-like morphology.