Mechanism of Meissner corpuscle function

Somatosensation is essential for everyday life. Many vertebrates, including humans, use the sense of touch to
navigate in the environment, manipulate tools and objects, find food and perform various mechanical tasks. Key
to this ability are somatosensory corpuscles located in the skin. In this proposal, we focus on Meissner
corpuscles, which are essential for performing fine tactile tasks due to their ability to detect transient mechanical
stimuli. Despite their importance for somatosensation, the mechanism of Meissner corpuscle function is
unknown. Meissner corpuscles are located in the skin of many vertebrates, and consist of lamellar cells in contact
with a neuronal mechanoreceptor. The mechanoreceptor is thought to be the key sensory element within the
corpuscle, whereas the function of lamellar cells is unknown. In this proposal, we will functionally test the
hypothesis that Meissner lamellar cells are active detectors of touch. To do this, we will use bill skin of tactile
specialist ducks, which contains a high density of Meissner corpuscles accessible for experimental
manipulations. We will investigate the molecular mechanism of touch sensitivity in Meissner lamellar cells, study
their interaction with neuronal mechanoreceptor, and investigate their role in somatosensory physiology. We will
employ an integrative approach, including neurophysiology, biophysics and imaging. Results from this basic
scientific proposal will provide mechanistic insights into the process of somatosensation in vertebrate skin.

Grant Number: 5R01NS126277-04
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Sviatoslav Bagriantsev