The structure and organization of lanceolate mechanosensory complexes at mouse hair follicles

In mouse hairy skin, lanceolate complexes at guard, awl/auchene, and zigzag hair follicles served as mechanosensory end organs formed by combinations of LTMRs and TSCs. The study revealed that TSC processes were tiled and hosted axonal endings of multiple LTMR subtypes. Electron microscopy showed unique ultrastructural features essential for mechanotransduction. Schwann cell ablation resulted in the loss of LTMR terminals, but TSCs remained associated with hair follicles and re-associated with new axons after skin denervation, indicating TSC-dependence for the maintenance and regeneration of lanceolate complexes in adult mice.