A PURE, MONOLAYER-CULTURE OF MERKEL CELLS FROM SINUS HAIR-FOLLICLES OF THE RAT

Merkel cells, mechanoreceptor cells in the skin, were dissociated from sinus hair follicles of the whisker pads of newborn rats, and culture d in a serum-free medium. Based on the uptake of quinacrine, a specifi c fluorescence marking dye, more than 90% of the cells in culture were identified as Merkel cells. During monolayer culture on a poly-L-lysi ne-coated coverglass surface, Merkel cells exhibited a flat round morp hology and often extended thin lamellae on their fringe. Small particl es eliciting quinacrine fluorescence were present throughout these cel ls, with the exception of the lamellae or nuclei. Most Merkel cells di ed in 48-72 h in the serum-free medium. Fetal calf serum added to the medium protected Merkel cells from the cell death, and the Merkel cell s had a fibroblast-like morphology in the serum-containing medium.