Development and regeneration of Merkel cells.

Abstract

Merkel cells are epidermal mechanosensory cells that are crucial for transducing light touch sensations. The development of Merkel cells is influenced by various signaling pathways and is tightly regulated at the transcriptional and epigenetic levels. While studies have shed light on how Merkel cells develop, there is limited understanding of their maintenance in adulthood and their roles in maintaining our health. Intriguingly, emerging research on Merkel cells is slowly uncovering their functions in chronic itch, alloknesis, and potentially cancer, thereby promoting our understanding of their role in various disease states.