non-invasive identification method of human touch dome

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17312
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53050:Dermatology-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Kabata Yudai 新潟大学, 医歯学総合研究科, 客員研究員 (60723947)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 毛盤 / 触覚 / 皮膚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to establish criteria for non-invasively identifying human touch dome. Loop-shaped blood vessels that are characteristic of the touch dome are observed by using capillaroscopy, and a biopsy is performed from the same area. The specimen is fixed, treated with KOH and collagenase to separate the epidermis and dermis, and observed the epidermis and dermis using SEM. We will compare the morphology of blood vessels observed with a capillaroscopy and SEM to examine findings that can reliably identify the touch dome.
Due to the transfer of researcher, the experimental facilities and equipment could no longer be used. Not enough effort was put into research and results were not achieved. The grant was refunded.

Free Research Field

解剖

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヒト毛盤の構造をさらに詳細に明らかにする。神経終末のメルケル細胞やケラチノサイトへの分布は複雑に折り重なっており、走査型電子顕微鏡による観察のみではわからない部分も多い。同一試料の走査電顕・透過電顕による相補的観察に、免疫組織化学的手法も組み合わせることで、毛盤に特異的なケラチノサイトの微細構造を検討する。
痛覚やかゆみの感覚はAδ, C線維が関与するが、毛盤においてもこれらの線維が分布していることが報告されている。アトピー性皮膚炎や皮膚そう痒症などの患者の皮膚において、本研究で得られた基準をもとに非侵襲的に毛盤の分布と密度を調べ、かゆみとの関連を検討する。