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Merkel complexes of human digital skin: Three‐dimensional imaging with confocal laser microscopy and double immunofluorescence
Author(s) -
Guinard D.,
Usson Y.,
Guillermet C.,
Saxod R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9861(19980817)398:1<98::aid-cne6>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - merkel cell , biology , immunolabeling , confocal , free nerve ending , anatomy , confocal microscopy , epidermis (zoology) , nerve fiber , neurofilament , human skin , cytokeratin , pathology , immunohistochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , merkel cell carcinoma , optics , medicine , physics , genetics , carcinoma , immunology
Three‐dimensional (3‐D) reconstruction of images provided by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) is a powerful tool in a morpho‐functional approach to cutaneous innervation studies. To investigate mechanoreceptors in the hand, a study of Merkel complexes was performed in human finger. A double fluorescent‐conjugated immunolabeling with antibodies against neurofilament (NF 200) and cytokeratin (CK 20) on floating, thick cutaneous samples (80 to 100 μm), was used. After acquisition of serial optical planes by CSLM, reconstruction was performed with 3‐D reconstruction software tools. Merkel cells were clearly labeled with CK 20, whereas nerve components were only NF 200 reactive. The cells, localized on the basal lamina of the epidermis, were usually arranged in clusters of five to eight cells. Each cell was connected to a nerve process ramification originating from a unique fiber. Quantitative data, compiled from a sample of 25 Merkel complexes, gave a mean cell diameter of 13 ± 1 μm and a mean nerve fiber size of 3 ± 1 μm. Surface measurements were done on a single reconstructed cluster with a mean and standard error which only refers to the optical 3‐D resolution. It gives a surface of 12 ± 1 μm 2 for the contact zone between cell and nerve fiber and a cluster area of about 500 μm 2 . The great precision of reconstructed images provides a detailed analysis of spatial relationships between abutting nerve fibers and Merkel cells. Data interpretation is improved with complementary ultrastructural and physiological studies results, and this allows an accurate investigation of cutaneous sensory endings. J. Comp. Neurol. 398:98–104, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.