Merkel cells in the human oesophagus

• Published in: The Journal of pathology Vol. 189; no. 2; pp. 176 - 179
• Main Authors: Harmse, J. L., Carey, F. A., Baird, A. R., Craig, S. R., Christie, K. N., Hopwood, D., Lucocq, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-10-1999; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Carcinoma, Small Cell - metabolism; Carcinoma, Small Cell - pathology; Cell Count; cytokeratin 20; Esophageal Neoplasms - metabolism; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Esophagus; Esophagus - ultrastructure; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Infant; Intermediate Filament Proteins - metabolism; Keratin-20; Medical sciences; Merkel cells; Merkel Cells - metabolism; Merkel Cells - ultrastructure; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; oesophagus; small cell carcinoma; Tumors; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Pathology; Eye disease; Merkel cell; Digestive diseases; Malignant tumor; Electron microscopy; Neuroendocrine tumor; Small cell carcinoma; Esophagus
• ISSN: 0022-3417; 1096-9896
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9896(199910)189:2<176::AID-PATH416>3.0.CO;2-U

Merkel cells (MCs) are well recognized in the basal layers of the skin and oral mucosa, but this paper describes for the first time the presence of MCs in the human oesophagus. These cells are not identified in neonatal oesophagus, but are seen singly and in clusters in adult specimens. Application of stereological techniques shows that MCs are more numerous in the mid‐oesophageal region. Cells expressing established markers of MCs have also been demonstrated in two out of six primary small cell carcinomas of the oesophagus. Further investigation of the role of MCs in oesophageal innervation and epithelial biology will be of interest. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.