Morphometric characterization of the human neuroendocrine Merkel cells.

ABSTRACT

In this study, the neuroendocrine Merkel cells (NEMCs) from adult human epidermis are defined morphometrically, using the MOP 20 image analyzer to measure 21 parameters of either the cell as a whole, or particular cellular structures. Maximum diameter (8.09 microns), perimeter (26.51 microns), area (36.87 microns2) and form factor (0.626) for the cell as a whole, and maximum diameter (5.08 microns), perimeter (18.74 microns), area (12.54 microns2) and form factor (0.452) for the nucleus were determined. Also measured were nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (0.5595), filament thickness (10 nm), and granular numerical density (7.02 granules/micron2). Maximum diameter, area, and form factor of neurosecretory granules were 94.23 nm, 5020.05 nm2, and 0.93, respectively. Length of desmosomes linking NEMCs to keratinocytes was determined (286.9 nm) and compared with that of interkeratinocytic desmosomes (385 nm). In addition, length and diameter of cellular processes (spine-like processes (1.58 micron X 0.26 micron), interstitial processes (1.39 micron X 0.25 micron), and microvilli (0.35 micron X 0.25 micron) were measured after separation and classification according to the particular morphologic characteristics of each.