Exposure to a Dry Environment Enhances Epidermal Permeability Barrier Function

Denda, Mitsuhiro; Sato, Junko; Masuda, Yoshiko; Tsuchiya, Toru; Koyama, Junichi; Kuramoto, Masato; Elias, Peter M.; Feingold, Kenneth R.

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.1998.00333.x

Cited by 207 publications

(225 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(13 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

214

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In fetal rats, the development of the epidermal barrier has been shown to correlate with the development of the stratum corneum structure and with the lipid content (9,23). Exposure to a dry environment has been reported to result in accelerated maturation of the epidermis in fetal rat skin explants (24) and in adult mice (25). In preterm infants, exposure to the extrauterine environment has also been shown to have a maturational effect on the epidermal structure (7), although functional studies of the skin of extremely preterm infants have clearly demonstrated that TEWL remains high several weeks after birth (5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transepidermal Water Loss in Developing Rats: Role of Aquaporins in the Immature Skin

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the extremely preterm infant, high transepidermal water loss (TEWL) can result in severe dehydration. TEWL has been attributed to the structural properties of the epidermis but might also be influenced by mechanisms that facilitate water transport. To investigate whether aquaporins (AQP) may be involved in the extreme losses of water through immature skin, we examined the presence and cellular distributions of AQP-1 and AQP-3 in embryonic and adult rat skin by immunohistochemistry. The expression of AQP mRNA in skin was analyzed with the use of semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR. In rat pups of different embryonic (E) and postnatal (P) ages (days), TEWL and skin hydration were measured. AQP-1 was detected in dermal capillaries, and AQP-3 was abundant in basal epidermal layers. Both AQP displayed several times higher expression in embryonic than in adult skin. TEWL was highest at embryonic day 18 (E18) (133 Ϯ 18 g/m 2 h) and lower at E20 (25 Ϯ 1 g/m 2 h) and P4 (9 Ϯ 2 g/m 2 h). Skin hydration measured as skin electrical capacitance paralleled TEWL, being highest in fetal skin (794 Ϯ 15 pF at E18) and decreasing to 109 Ϯ 11 pF at E20 and to 0 Ϯ 0 pF at P4. We conclude that, as in infants, water loss through the skin of rats decreases markedly with maturation during the perinatal period. The expression and cellular localization of the AQP are such that they might influence skin hydration and water transport and contribute to the high losses of water through the immature skin. (Pediatr Res 53: 558-565, 2003) Abbreviations TEWL, transepidermal water loss AQP, aquaporin E, embryonic P, postnatal RT, reverse transcription SEC, skin electrical capacitance Evaporation from the skin constitutes the major route of water and heat loss in extremely preterm infants early after birth (1). These losses may result in hypothermia, dehydration, and hyperosmolality, the last of which is associated with an increased risk for cerebral bleeding (2, 3). Previous observations in very preterm infants indicate that their very high loss of water from the skin, measured as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (4, 5), is a consequence of their poorly developed epidermis (6, 7). The formation of an effective epidermal barrier, limiting water permeability, takes place in late gestation (8) and has mainly been attributed to the structural maturation of the stratum corneum and its constituents (9, 10).Aquaporin (AQP) water channels have been shown to be extensively distributed throughout different tissues and to allow rapid and regulated transcellular water transport (11,12). Only a few studies on AQP have included skin analyses. AQP-1 and -3 have been identified in adult rat skin by immunohistochemistry (13) and by RNase protection assay (14), providing support for the speculation that AQP might play a role in transepidermal water transport (15). To understand better the mechanism underlying the high TEWL in preterm infants, we investigated the pattern of distribution and gene expression of AQP-1 and -3 in rat skin at different stages of...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transepidermal Water Loss in Developing Rats: Role of Aquaporins in the Immature Skin

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The glycerol that is formed by the breakdown of phospholipids by phospholipases plays a role in the stratum corneum as a water-holding agent, which helps to keep the stratum corneum hydrated. Hydration is crucial for a smooth and flexible skin, and changes in hydration status signal several downstream responses, including epidermal DNA synthesis and catabolism of filaggrin into deiminated carboxylic acid metabolites (33)(34)(35)(36)(37).…”

Section: Jlr: Do the Lipids In The Extracellular Lipid Membranes In Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thematic review series: Skin Lipids. The role of epidermal lipids in cutaneous permeability barrier homeostasis

Feingold

2007

Journal of Lipid Research

Self Cite

354

366

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The permeability barrier is required for terrestrial life and is localized to the stratum corneum, where extracellular lipid membranes inhibit water movement. The lipids that constitute the extracellular matrix have a unique composition and are 50% ceramides, 25% cholesterol, and 15% free fatty acids. Essential fatty acid deficiency results in abnormalities in stratum corneum structure function. The lipids are delivered to the extracellular space by the secretion of lamellar bodies, which contain phospholipids, glucosylceramides, sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and enzymes. In the extracellular space, the lamellar body lipids are metabolized by enzymes to the lipids that form the lamellar membranes. The lipids contained in the lamellar bodies are derived from both epidermal lipid synthesis and extracutaneous sources. Inhibition of cholesterol, fatty acid, ceramide, or glucosylceramide synthesis adversely affects lamellar body formation, thereby impairing barrier homeostasis. Studies have further shown that the elongation and desaturation of fatty acids is also required for barrier homeostasis. The mechanisms that mediate the uptake of extracutaneous lipids by the epidermis are unknown, but keratinocytes express LDL and scavenger receptor class B type 1, fatty acid transport proteins, and CD36. Topical application of physiologic lipids can improve permeability barrier homeostasis and has been useful in the treatment of cutaneous disorders.-Feingold, K. R. The role of epidermal lipids in cutaneous permeability barrier homeostasis. J. Lipid Res.

show abstract

“…Exposure to dry air increases the rate of barrier recovery following tape stripping of mammalian epidermis, and exposure to low humidity increases DNA synthesis in normal epidermis and amplifies the DNA synthetic response to barrier disruption (Denda et al, 1998a;Denda et al, 1998b). Prolonged exposure to dry air results in a thicker, more competent stratum corneum and is regarded as a homeostatic adjustment of the barrier to environmental humidity.…”

Section: H B Lillywhite and Othersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water exchange and permeability properties of the skin in three species of amphibious sea snakes (Laticauda spp.)

Lillywhite

Menon

et al. 2009

Journal of Experimental Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYEvolutionary transitions between different environmental media such as air and water pose special problems with respect to skin permeability because of the dramatic changes in the driving gradients and nature of water exchange processes. Also, during the transitional periods prior to complete adaptation to a new medium, the skin is exposed to two very different sets of environmental conditions. Here, we report new data for transepidermal evaporative water loss (TEWL) and cutaneous resistance to evaporative water loss (R s ) of sea snakes that are transitional in the sense of being amphibious and semi-terrestrial. We investigated three species of sea kraits (Elapidae: Laticaudinae) that are common to Orchid Island (Lanyu), Taiwan. Generally, R s of all three species is lower than that characteristic of terrestrial/xeric species of snakes measured in other taxa. Within Laticauda, R s is significantly greater (TEWL lower) in the more terrestrial species and lowest (TEWL highest) in the more aquatic species. Previously reported losses of water from snakes kept in seawater exhibit a reversed trend, with lower rates of loss in the more aquatic species. These data suggest selection for adaptive traits with respect to increasing exposure to the marine environment. Thus, a countergradient of traits is reflected in decreased TEWL in aerial environments and decreased net water efflux in marine environments, acting simultaneously in the three species. The pattern for TEWL correlates with ultrastructural evidence for increased lipogenesis in the stratum corneum of the more terrestrial species. The skin surfaces of all three species are hydrophobic. Species differences in this property possibly explain the pattern for water efflux when these snakes are in seawater, which remains to be investigated.

show abstract

Exposure to a Dry Environment Enhances Epidermal Permeability Barrier Function

Cited by 207 publications

References 18 publications

Transepidermal Water Loss in Developing Rats: Role of Aquaporins in the Immature Skin

Transepidermal Water Loss in Developing Rats: Role of Aquaporins in the Immature Skin

Thematic review series: Skin Lipids. The role of epidermal lipids in cutaneous permeability barrier homeostasis

Water exchange and permeability properties of the skin in three species of amphibious sea snakes (Laticauda spp.)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About