Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41455470›Full record

ArticleStem cell reports2026

An innovative in vitro system unveils IGF1R signaling regulating Merkel cell generation.

Huipu Yuan, Chen Rui, Yajun Zhang, Jun Liu, Yanghui He, Xia Wu, Tuan Wang, Zhengduo Zhang, Chaochen Wang, Ying Xiao

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Huipu YuanSir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Chen RuiSir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Yajun ZhangZhejiang University - University of Edinburgh Institute, International Campus, Haining, China.
Jun LiuDermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Yanghui HeSchool of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
Xia WuSir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Tuan WangHangzhou First People's Hospital Affiliated of Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Zhengduo ZhangCenter for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Chaochen WangZhejiang University - University of Edinburgh Institute, International Campus, Haining, China. Electronic address: chaochenwang@intl.zju.edu.cn.
Ying XiaoSir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: xiaoying.srr@zju.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Merkel cells (MCs) are specialized mechanoreceptors crucial for tactile sensation, yet their developmental investigation remains challenging, particularly in humans, due to the lack of validated in vitro culture system. Here, we establish novel approaches, including short-term ex vivo vibrissae explants, innovative mouse skin organoids (mSKOs), and human pluripotent stem cell-derived skin organoids (hSKOs), to monitor MC development. We demonstrate that Polycomb repressive complex inhibitors (PRCis) efficiently promote MC generation in these culture systems. Through single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis, together with pharmacological screening, we identify IGF1R as a potential regulator of MC formation, which likely exerts its effects through the AKT pathway. Furthermore, we validate the role of FGFR2 signaling in MC generation. These systems constitute a versatile platform that harnesses complementary strengths to not only advance MC biology and skin development but also enable stem cell research, supporting organoid-based disease modeling, therapeutic compound screening, and regenerative medicine.

Indexed as

Merkel CellsReceptor, IGF Type 1Signal TransductionAnimalsCell DifferentiationHumansMiceOrganoidsPluripotent Stem CellsReceptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2SkinReceptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2Receptor, IGF Type 1IGF1R signalingMerkel cellskin organoidtactile disordertouch development

Identifiers

PMID41455470
PMCPMC12925967

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.