OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is a difference in the density of Merkel cells between the gingiva of dentate and edentate subjects. METHODS: One hundred and two blocks of @entity1 mandibular (n=55) and maxillary (n=47) gingiva from 69 white skinned individuals (44 males, 25 females, mean age 70.1 years, range 42--92 years) were analysed. Twenty-six individuals had teeth remaining in at least one jaw (mean age of dentate 64.5 years, edentate 72.1 years), of which 15 were dentate in both jaws. Overall, 24/55 mandibles and 17/47 maxillae were dentate. Five micrometer sections were stained with a monoclonal antibody to @entity2225 ( @entity2225 ) using standard immunoperoxidase or immunoalkaline phosphatase methods. Positive cells were counted in 20 consecutive high power fields using the x 40 objective in three sections from each biopsy, and the results analysed for differences related to age, sex, site and presence of teeth. RESULTS: @entity2225 -positive Merkel cells were present either singly or in clusters in the basal epithelial layers, particularly at the tips of rete ridges. Numbers of gingival Merkel cells were significantly higher (p<0.005, Mann-Whitney) in edentate (cells per field mean, median, standard deviation, respectively: 1.39, 0.64, and 1.85) when compared to dentate (0.67, 0.20, and 1.21) specimens. The differences were not statistically significant for any other variable. CONCLUSION: The data raise the possibility that @entity146 following @entity393 may be compensated for by an increase in the local Merkel cell population.

An immunohistochemical analysis of XXXX Merkel cell density in gingival epithelium from dentate and edentulous subjects.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity393 :: ('MESH:D034381', 'Disease') :: ['loss of teeth'] @entity2225 :: ('54474', 'Gene') :: ['CK 20', 'cytokeratin 20'] @entity146 :: ('MESH:D001523', 'Disease') :: ['reduced perception']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['human']
