Quiet residents of the vaginal epithelium: immunohistochemical study on the distribution and role of human vaginal Merkel cells

The authors investigate the distribution and potential functions of Merkel cells (MCs) within the vaginal epithelium, aiming to determine if they exhibit mechanosensory roles similar to those in the skin. Their findings reveal that vaginal MCs lack expression of key mechanosensory markers, suggesting they do not function as mechanoreceptors but may instead play a role in the neuroendocrine system, contributing to epithelial homeostasis and regeneration. This study is the first to explore the role of MCs in the vaginal environment, highlighting their distinct immunophenotypic profile compared to those in skin.