NIH R01 · 2025
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Merkel Cell Loss and Regeneration
Summary The mechanosensory Merkel cells (MCs) are crucial for encoding the sense of light touch. Recent studies have shown that MCs also significantly regulate alloknesis, the itch sensation caused by light mechanical stimulation. Notably, alloknesis is commonly observed in the elderly, with research indicating a decrease in MC numbers in aged human and mouse skin. Among many skin abnormalities occurring with aging, dry skin condition appears to be involved in alloknesis. In experiments using a mouse model of experimental dry skin induced by acetone- ether-water (AEW) treatment, a decline in MC numbers and an increase in alloknesis were observed. Interestingly, upon discontinuing the AEW…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.