Epithelial-neuronal signaling is essential for sensory encoding in touch, itch, and
nociception; however, little is known about the release mechanisms and neurotransmitter …

Merkel cells are rare epidermal cells whose function in the skin is still debated. These cells
localize to highly touch-sensitive areas of vertebrate epithelia, including palatine ridges …

The Merkel cell–neurite complex is a unique vertebrate touch receptor comprising two
distinct cell types in the skin. Its presence in touch-sensitive skin areas was recognized more …

Merkel cell-neurite complexes are somatosensory receptors that initiate the perception of
gentle touch. The role of epidermal Merkel cells within these complexes is disputed. To ask …

Merkel cells are an enigmatic group of rare cells found in the skin of vertebrates. Most make
contacts with somatosensory afferents to form Merkel cell–neurite complexes, which are …

Touch submodalities, such as flutter and pressure, are mediated by somatosensory afferents
whose terminal specializations extract tactile features and encode them as action potential …

The touch dome (TD) is an innervated structure in the epidermis of mammalian skin.
Composed of specialized keratinocytes and neuroendocrine Merkel cells, the TD has …

The cellular and molecular basis of vertebrate touch reception remains least understood
among the traditional five senses. Somatosensory afferents that innervate the skin encode …

Merkel cell-neurite complexes are highly sensitive touch receptors comprising epidermal
Merkel cells and sensory afferents. Based on morphological and molecular studies, Merkel …

Touch perception depends on integrating signals from multiple types of peripheral
mechanoreceptors. Merkel-cell associated afferents are thought to play a major role in form …