Merkel cell distribution in human hair follicles of the fetal and adult scalp

The distribution of Merkel cells in fetal and adult terminal hair follicles of human scalp was studied immunohistochemically using cytokeratin (CK) 20 as a specific Merkel cell marker. In hair follicles of adult scalp, abundant Merkel cells were found enriched in two belt-like clusters, one in the deep infundibulum and one in the isthmus region. No Merkel cells were found in the deep follicular portions including the bulb, or in the dermis. In early fetal hair follicles (bulbous peg stage), Merkel cells were only detected in the basal layer of the developing infundibulum but not in deeper follicular areas. In later stages, Merkel cells were also present in the isthmus and bulge. No Merkel cells were seen in the dermis around developing hair follicles. Nerve growth factor receptor was not only present in nerves but was found to be widely distributed within fetal skin. In adult skin, this receptor was localized to the basal cell layers of the outer root sheath of the bulb and the suprabulbar area, but was not detectable in the areas containing Merkel cells. The present study localizing Merkel cells within the permanent hair follicle structures close to their possible stem cells suggests that they have paracrine functions.