Isolation, barrier properties and lipid analysis of stratum compactum, a discrete region of the stratum corneum

We have isolated the lowest region of human and pig stratum corneum as an integral layer which we have termed the stratum compactum. This preparation is resistant to disruption by enzymes, 6murea, Triton X‐100 and solvents. Our evidence suggests that all cells of the stratum corneum may be equally permeable to aqueous soluble materials but that penetration of materials through the corneum depends on the state of cohesion between cells and of the organization of intercellular lipid species. As the cells move up towards the outside of the stratum corneum the cohesive forces are reduced due to desmosome degradation and lipid modifications with ultimate dyshesion and sloughing of individual cells.

[1]  A. Spurr.  A low-viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. , 1969, Journal of ultrastructure research.

[2]  P. Elias,et al.  Membrane alterations during cornification of mammalian squamous epithelia: A freeze‐fracture, tracer, and thin‐section study , 1977, The Anatomical record.

[3]  A. Burlingame,et al.  Human stratum corneum lipids: characterization and regional variations. , 1983, Journal of lipid research.

[4]  R. Lavker,et al.  Membrane coating granules: the fate of the discharged lamellae. , 1976, Journal of ultrastructure research.

[5]  R. White,et al.  1-(3'-O-acyl)-beta-glucosyl-N-dihydroxypentatriacontadienoylsphingosine, a major component of the glucosylceramides of pig and human epidermis. , 1978, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[6]  P. Steinert.  Epidermal Keratin: Filaments and Matrix , 1983 .

[7]  R. Marks,et al.  The change in properties of the stratum corneum as a function of depth , 1979, The British journal of dermatology.

[8]  H. Onken,et al.  The water barrier in human epidermis. Physical and chemical nature. , 1963, Archives of dermatology.

[9]  F. Kahl,et al.  Ultrastructural studies of experimental vesiculation. , 1967 .

[10]  P. Elias,et al.  Stratum corneum lipids in disorders of cornification: increased cholesterol sulfate content of stratum corneum in recessive x-linked ichthyosis. , 1981, The Journal of clinical investigation.

[11]  E. H. Gans,et al.  Effect of lipids on the aggregation and permeability of human stratum corneum. , 1982, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[12]  M. Barr.  Review ArticlePercutaneous absorption , 1962 .

[13]  P. Elias,et al.  Steroid sulfatase, X-linked ichthyosis, and stratum corneum cell cohesion. , 1981, Archives of dermatology.

[14]  Elias Pm,et al.  The mammalian cutaneous permeability barrier: defective barrier function is essential fatty acid deficiency correlates with abnormal intercellular lipid deposition. , 1978 .

[15]  I. Brody.  The modified plasma membranes of the transition and horny cells in normal human epidermis as revealed by electron microscopy. , 1969, Acta dermato-venereologica.

[16]  A. Matoltsy,et al.  MEMBRANE-COATING GRANULES OF KERATINIZING EPITHELIA , 1965, The Journal of cell biology.

[17]  I. Brody.  The Ultrastructure of the Horny Layer in Normal and Psoriatic Epidermis as Revealed by Electron Microscopy , 1962 .

[18]  J. Barrett,et al.  Histidine-rich protein of the keratohyalin granules. Source of the free amino acids, urocanic acid and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid in the stratum corneum. , 1982, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[19]  G. Odland.  A submicroscopic granular component in human epidermis. , 1960, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[20]  H. Maibach,et al.  Intercellular adhesion and surface coats of epidermal cells in psoriasis. , 1968, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[21]  P. Elias,et al.  The mammalian cutaneous permeability barrier: defective barrier function is essential fatty acid deficiency correlates with abnormal intercellular lipid deposition. , 1978, Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology.

[22]  A. F. Hayward,et al.  Electron microscopy of membrane-coating granules and a cell surface coat in keratinized and nonkeratinized human oral epithelium. , 1973, Journal of ultrastructure research.

[23]  P. Elias,et al.  Human epidermal lipids: characterization and modulations during differentiation. , 1983, Journal of lipid research.

[24]  G. Wilgram,et al.  Fine-structural observations on the formation and enzymatic activity of keratinosomes in mouse tongue filiform papillae. , 1970, Journal of ultrastructure research.

[25]  P. Elias,et al.  Epidermal lipids, barrier function, and desquamation. , 1983, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[26]  H. Maibach,et al.  Surface coats containing polysaccharides on human epidermal cells. , 1968, The Journal of investigative dermatology.