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Case Reports in Plastic Surgery & Hand... 2019Pacinian corpuscle pathology is a rare clinical entity and an uncommonly reported cause of digital pain. While many prior reports implicate hand trauma, we describe a...
Pacinian corpuscle pathology is a rare clinical entity and an uncommonly reported cause of digital pain. While many prior reports implicate hand trauma, we describe a case of Pacinian hyperplasia found in a patient with Raynaud's phenomenon and propose a potential mechanism of disease.
PubMed: 32002464
DOI: 10.1080/23320885.2019.1698958 -
Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer... May 2020Nipples represent a highly specialized skin with capital importance in mammals for breastfeeding and additionally in humans due to sexuality. The histological studies...
Nipples represent a highly specialized skin with capital importance in mammals for breastfeeding and additionally in humans due to sexuality. The histological studies regarding this region are scarce, so 42 human nipples were studied to describe the morphology of the nipple innervation. Our results exclude the presence of a rich innervation on nipple's skin or superficial dermis, thus definitely excluding nipple skin from the concept glabrous skin. The presence of mechanoreceptors is limited to scarce Merkel cells on the epidermis and some corpuscular capsulated and non-capsulated structures in the dermis; Merkel cells progressively decrease with ageing. No Meissner corpuscles were found and the rare Pacinian corpuscles identified were close to vascular structures and embroidered in the mammary fatty tissue. The great sensitivity observed functionally on the breast and especially in the nipple can be morphologically explained by two elements; on the one hand there is a rich smooth muscle innervation present in the deep dermis; on the other hand the mammary gland demonstrate Piezo2 expression in many glandular cells, with two differentiated patterns in the ductal and in the acinar tissue of the breast. The role of Piezo2 in the normal mammary gland is discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Child; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Ion Channels; Merkel Cells; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Proteins; Nipples; Pacinian Corpuscles; Sebaceous Glands; Sensory Receptor Cells; Young Adult
PubMed: 31911160
DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2019.151456 -
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) Aug 2020Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are pericellular/cell surface molecules involved in somatosensory axon guidance in the peripheral nervous system. However, the distribution...
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are pericellular/cell surface molecules involved in somatosensory axon guidance in the peripheral nervous system. However, the distribution of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of human cutaneous sensory corpuscles is unknown. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays were performed to define the localization of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in human cutaneous Meissner's and Pacinian corpuscles using two anti-heparan sulfate antibodies together with anti-S100 protein, anti-PGP9.5, anti-CD34 (to immunolabel basement membranes, Schwann cells, axon and the intermediate endoneurial layer of Pacinian corpuscles, respectively), anti-Type IV collagen, and anti-chondroitin sulfate antibodies. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans were colocalized with Type IV collagen in Meissner's corpuscles and were located in the outer core lamellae and capsule, but not in the inner core or the intermediate layer, in Pacinian corpuscles. Chondroitin sulfate was observed in the intermediate layer of Pacinian corpuscles but was never colocalized with heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The present results strongly suggest that heparan sulfate proteoglycans are associated with the basement membranes of the lamellar cells in Meissner's corpuscles and with the complex outer core capsule in Pacinian corpuscles. The functional significance of these results, if any, remains to be elucidated.
Topics: Adult; Collagen Type IV; Female; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Male; Mechanoreceptors; Middle Aged; Pacinian Corpuscles; S100 Proteins; Skin; Young Adult
PubMed: 31815364
DOI: 10.1002/ar.24328 -
Journal of Anatomy Feb 2020The palmaris brevis muscle contains numerous muscle spindles to control changes of the muscle length but is devoid of tendon-associated neuronal elements (e.g. Golgi...
The palmaris brevis muscle contains numerous muscle spindles to control changes of the muscle length but is devoid of tendon-associated neuronal elements (e.g. Golgi tendon organs or Ruffini-like corpuscles) controlling changes in muscle strength. Pacinian bodies, frequently seen in the palm of the hand, show no direct association to the muscle bundles. The observed innervation pattern of the palmaris brevis muscle points to a specific type of neuronal regulation, present in skeletal muscles with no skeletal connection.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Hand; Humans; Male; Muscle Spindles; Muscle, Skeletal; Tendons
PubMed: 31696933
DOI: 10.1111/joa.13098 -
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology Mar 2020Sclerotic fibroma (storiform collagenoma) is a rare benign skin tumor. A solitary tumor, as well as multifocal lesions, are found either sporadically, or associated with...
Sclerotic fibroma (storiform collagenoma) is a rare benign skin tumor. A solitary tumor, as well as multifocal lesions, are found either sporadically, or associated with Cowden syndrome. The tumor usually presents as clinically asymptomatic, slowly growing papule or nodule on the skin of the head, neck, and upper extremities. Microscopically the lesion is sharply demarcated, composed of hyalinized bands of collagen with low cellularity and a distinctive irregularly whorled or storiform pattern. We describe a case of a unique variant of this tumor in the scalp of a 33-year-old male. The tumor was microscopically composed of concentrically arranged collagen bundles with prevailing type III collagen, which resembled an enlarged Vater-Pacini corpuscle, with low density of CD34-positive and glucose transporter 1-negative spindle shaped cells. The specific microscopic appearance is suggestive of the term "Pacinian collagenoma" for this unique benign tumor.
Topics: Adult; Fibroma; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Scalp; Sclerosis; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 31606915
DOI: 10.1111/cup.13595 -
European Journal of Translational... Aug 2019The aim of this study was to characterize the microscopic structure and sensory nerve endings of the crural interosseous membrane (IM). 13 IMs from 7 cadavers were used...
The aim of this study was to characterize the microscopic structure and sensory nerve endings of the crural interosseous membrane (IM). 13 IMs from 7 cadavers were used to analyze the organization of the collagen fibers, IM's thickness, distribution of elastic fibers and nerve elements. The IM is mainly a two-layer collagen fascicle structure with the collagen fibers of adjacent layers orientated along different directions, forming angles of 30.5 +/- 1.7° at proximal and 26.6 +/- 2.1° at distal part (P>0.05). The percentage of elastic fibers between the two layers and inside the collagen fascicle layer is 10.1 +/- 0.5% and 2.2 +/- 0.1% (P<0.001). The IM's thickness at proximal, middle, and distal parts is 268.5 +/- 18.6μm; 293.2 +/- 12.5μm; 365.3 +/- 19.3 μm, respectively (Proximal vs Distal: P<0.001; Middle vs Distal: P<0.05). Nerve elements were present and located both inside and on the surface of the IM, whereas the mechanoreceptors are mainly located on the surface of the IM. Free nerve endings (33.3 +/- 5.0/cm) and Ruffini corpuscles (3.4 +/- 0.6/cm) were the predominant sensory elements, while Pacinian corpuscles (1.3 +/- 0.7/cm) were rarely found. The type of mechanoreceptors found suggests that the IM may play a role in proprioception.
PubMed: 31579480
DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2019.8340 -
Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer... Jan 2020Our group had recently described human hand Pacinian corpuscles (PCs): the hand PCs are not simply arranged along the digital palmar nerves but often exhibited specific...
PURPOSE
Our group had recently described human hand Pacinian corpuscles (PCs): the hand PCs are not simply arranged along the digital palmar nerves but often exhibited specific morphologies known uncommonly. However, there is still no or few information about human foot PCs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We observed transverse sections of all five toes including the interdigital area obtained from 12 feet of eight fetuses at 28-33 weeks (crown-rump length 230-290mm). Serial sections were prepared for 3D reconstructions and measurement.
RESULTS
Foot PCs were characterized by (1) a dense distribution in the interdigital area in contrast to a few PCs in the distal tip of the all five toes; (2) abundant dorsal PCs including those in the nail bed and: (3) a long chain of PCs in the flexor tendon sheath of all five toes. Therefore, a distal dominance was not evident in the foot in contrast to the hand and, a tendon sheath contained much greater numbers of PCs than the hand. A tree-like or bouquet-like arrangement of PCs along a short perforating artery to the palmar digital skin was seen in the foot as we had described in the hand. The tree of foot PCs was sometimes seen laying transversely along the digital skin surface, not toward the skin.
CONCLUSION
It is still unknown that, in utero, how the PCs distribution became different between the hand and foot: it might be determined genetically in a region-specific manner.
Topics: Female; Fetus; Foot; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Nails; Pacinian Corpuscles; Tendons; Toes
PubMed: 31563572
DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2019.151421 -
Nature Communications Sep 2019Biological cellular structures have inspired many scientific disciplines to design synthetic structures that can mimic their functions. Here, we closely emulate...
Biological cellular structures have inspired many scientific disciplines to design synthetic structures that can mimic their functions. Here, we closely emulate biological cellular structures in a rationally designed synthetic multicellular hybrid ion pump, composed of hydrogen-bonded [EMIM][TFSI] ion pairs on the surface of silica microstructures (artificial mechanoreceptor cells) embedded into thermoplastic polyurethane elastomeric matrix (artificial extracellular matrix), to fabricate ionic mechanoreceptor skins. Ionic mechanoreceptors engage in hydrogen bond-triggered reversible pumping of ions under external stimulus. Our ionic mechanoreceptor skin is ultrasensitive (48.1-5.77 kPa) over a wide spectrum of pressures (0-135 kPa) at an ultra-low voltage (1 mV) and demonstrates the ability to surpass pressure-sensing capabilities of various natural skin mechanoreceptors (i.e., Merkel cells, Meissner's corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles). We demonstrate a wearable drone microcontroller by integrating our ionic skin sensor array and flexible printed circuit board, which can control directions and speed simultaneously and selectively in aerial drone flight.
Topics: Adult; Biomimetics; Biosensing Techniques; Electrochemistry; Humans; Hydrogen Bonding; Mechanoreceptors; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Merkel Cells; Physical Stimulation; Polyurethanes; Pressure; Silica Gel; Skin; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Touch
PubMed: 31488820
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11973-5 -
International Journal of Dermatology May 2020
Topics: Biopsy; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fingers; Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Neuroma; Pacinian Corpuscles; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 31483498
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.14622 -
PLoS Biology Aug 2019Motion is an essential component of everyday tactile experience: most manual interactions involve relative movement between the skin and objects. Much of the research on...
Motion is an essential component of everyday tactile experience: most manual interactions involve relative movement between the skin and objects. Much of the research on the neural basis of tactile motion perception has focused on how direction is encoded, but less is known about how speed is. Perceived speed has been shown to be dependent on surface texture, but previous studies used only coarse textures, which span a restricted range of tangible spatial scales and provide a limited window into tactile coding. To fill this gap, we measured the ability of human observers to report the speed of natural textures-which span the range of tactile experience and engage all the known mechanisms of texture coding-scanned across the skin. In parallel experiments, we recorded the responses of single units in the nerve and in the somatosensory cortex of primates to the same textures scanned at different speeds. We found that the perception of speed is heavily influenced by texture: some textures are systematically perceived as moving faster than are others, and some textures provide a more informative signal about speed than do others. Similarly, the responses of neurons in the nerve and in cortex are strongly dependent on texture. In the nerve, although all fibers exhibit speed-dependent responses, the responses of Pacinian corpuscle-associated (PC) fibers are most strongly modulated by speed and can best account for human judgments. In cortex, approximately half of the neurons exhibit speed-dependent responses, and this subpopulation receives strong input from PC fibers. However, speed judgments seem to reflect an integration of speed-dependent and speed-independent responses such that the latter help to partially compensate for the strong texture dependence of the former.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Female; Humans; Macaca mulatta; Male; Motion Perception; Movement; Neurons; Skin; Somatosensory Cortex; Touch; Touch Perception; Young Adult
PubMed: 31454360
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000431