Merkel cells and permanent disesthesia in the oral mucosa after soft tissue grafts

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 224; no. 1; pp. 205 - 209
• Main Authors: Aimetti, M., Romano, F., Cricenti, L., Perotto, S., Gotti, S., Panzica, G., Graziano, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.07.2010; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Cell differentiation; Cell proliferation; Connective Tissue - transplantation; Connective tissues; Differentiation (biology); Female; Gingival Recession - pathology; Gingival Recession - physiopathology; Gingival Recession - surgery; Grafting; Humans; Male; Merkel Cells - pathology; Mouth Mucosa - innervation; Mouth Mucosa - surgery; Mucosal immunity; Nerve Net - pathology; Nerve Net - physiopathology; Nerve Regeneration; Nerves; Neurologic Examination; Paresthesia - etiology; Paresthesia - pathology; Paresthesia - physiopathology; Regeneration; Regeneration (physiology); Skin & tissue grafts; Skin grafts; Soft tissues; Stem cells; Surgical Flaps - adverse effects; Time Factors; Tissue engineering; Tissues; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22115

Connective tissue grafts are routinely procedures in the treatment of gingival defects. The clinical success of the gingival tissue graft procedures anyway should ensure not only the aesthetic integration between the tissues but also the physiological activity of the graft in terms of sensitivity and immunity because the skin and the mucosae constitute the first natural aspecific borders against pathogens. The aim of this paper was to investigate nervous net recovery after connective graft procedure, in relation with sensorial alteration in the injured area. Results showed that there is a close link among the number of Merkel cells and the alteration of sensations. Merkel cells can be found isolated standing in the basal layer, supposed to have neuroendocrine functions in the epithelia or in larger group not associated with nerves; when found in association with nerves they are named Merkel complexes, acting as slow adapter mechanical receptor. Our data can be explained in two ways: Merkel cells increase as a consequence of tissue injury, a sort of “SOS cells” that secrete neuroendocrine signals to guide tissue healing; as an alternative the presence of the Merkel cells could be read as a derailment of tissue regeneration with the stop of cellular differentiation in the direction of an abnormal proliferation, a sort of mad stem cell. J. Cell. Physiol. 224:205–209, 2010 © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.