The Intercorneocyte Space

Elias, Peter M.; Grayson, Stephen; Lampe, Marilyn A.; Williams, Mary L.; Brown, Barbara E.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-68682-5_7

Cited by 44 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The SC's mechanical properties derive predominately from its main structural features: the SC has a composite structure consisting of heavily keratinized, disk-shaped corneocyte cells bound together by intercellular lipids and degraded desmosomal protein junctions, or corneodesmosomes (25). An initial surprising observation was that the stiffness was largely unaltered by even large UV doses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The structural integrity of keratin and intercellular lipids plays an important role in the hydration characteristics of SC, and intercellular lipids have been identified as the primary barrier to water permeability through the SC layer (25,42). With only tightly bound water present in dry environments [<20% relative humidity (RH)], SC has a dense, semicrystalline structure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Solar UV radiation reduces the barrier function of human skin

Biniek

Levi

Dauskardt

2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

249

219

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The ubiquitous presence of solar UV radiation in human life is essential for vitamin D production but also leads to skin photoaging, damage, and malignancies. Photoaging and skin cancer have been extensively studied, but the effects of UV on the critical mechanical barrier function of the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC), are not understood. The SC is the first line of defense against environmental exposures like solar UV radiation, and its effects on UV targets within the SC and subsequent alterations in the mechanical properties and related barrier function are unclear. Alteration of the SC's mechanical properties can lead to severe macroscopic skin damage such as chapping and cracking and associated inflammation, infection, scarring, and abnormal desquamation. Here, we show that UV exposure has dramatic effects on cell cohesion and mechanical integrity that are related to its effects on the SC's intercellular components, including intercellular lipids and corneodesmosomes. We found that, although the keratin-controlled stiffness remained surprisingly constant with UV exposure, the intercellular strength, strain, and cohesion decreased markedly. We further show that solar UV radiation poses a double threat to skin by both increasing the biomechanical driving force for damage while simultaneously decreasing the skin's natural ability to resist, compromising the critical barrier function of the skin.T he stratum corneum (SC), as the outermost layer of the epidermis, is the body's first line of defense against solar UV radiation. Solar UV radiation plays a dual role in human life: it is pivotal for vitamin D production (1) while also a potent and ubiquitous carcinogen responsible for much of the skin cancer in the human population (2). Although progress has been made in understanding the role of UV radiation in causing skin cancer (3), the role of solar UV radiation in altering the mechanical barrier function of the SC remains unknown.The SC provides both critical mechanical protection and a controlled permeable barrier to the external environment. Although the SC is typically a highly efficient barrier, exposure to harsh conditions can alter its function, leading to severe skin damage such as chapping and cracking. Such damage can cause detrimental skin responses including inflammation and infection caused by compromised barrier function, scarring, and abnormal desquamation, and further aggravate the effects of skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis vulgaris, and chronic xerosis (4-7).UV radiation is divided into three main types based on wavelength: UVC radiation (200-280 nm) is predominately filtered by the ozone layer in the stratosphere, UVB radiation (280-320 nm) is mainly absorbed by the epidermis, and UVA radiation (320-400 nm) penetrates deeper into the dermis but interacts with both the SC and epidermis as well (8) (Fig. 1). The penetration of UV radiation into the skin can initiate detrimental photochemical reactions, causing both acute conditions such as erythem...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar UV radiation reduces the barrier function of human skin

Biniek

Levi

Dauskardt

2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

249

219

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“…An excellent review was written by Yardley and Summerly [51 ] on the lipid composition and metabolism in normal and diseased epidermis. The concept of stratum corneum lipids within the intercorneocyte space was reviewed by Elias [52], Elias and Williams [53], and Elias et al [8], and the epi dermal lipids as regulators to stratum corneum desqua mation by Williams [54]. The effects of essential fatty acid deficiency on the skin have been summarized by Budowski [55] and Sherertz [56].…”

Section: Historical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disturbances of the stratum corneum lipid composition and synthesis do not only disturb the epidermal barrier to transcutaneous water loss, but also the ccll-to-cell adhe sion |7. 8,54]. We may learn from the pathology of kcratinaccous disturbances, such as ichthyosis, about the mys tery of the epidermal physiology, of normal differen tiation and desquamation [22].…”

Section: Concepts Of Keratinization and Desquamationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stratum corneum Lipid Function

1991

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The stratum corneum contains a complex mixture of polar and nonpolar lipids in its intercellular spaces. These lipids, present in form of multiple lamellae, have been investigated for their role in providing the epidermal barrier to transcutaneous water loss, the selective barrier from the inside to the outside of the organism and partly the process of physiological desquamation. The composition of these lipids varies from species to species, with the body region and the degree of keratinocyte differentiation. The most undifferentiated layers of the epidermis contain typical membrane lipids, phospholipids, while more differentiated layers contain ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are essential for the maintenance of the lamellar structures and epidermal barrier function. Epidermal linoleic and arachidonic acids derive from exogenous sources. Only recently attempts have been made to elucidate the timing and regulation of epidermal fatty acid metabolism. Keratinocytes do not express a low molecular weight fatty acid binding protein like other cells active in lipid metabolism, but may employ alternative ways in fatty acid uptake and metabolism.

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“…During the differentiation of the stratum corneum, the more soluble phospholipids, glycolipids, and cholesterol sulfate are re placed by the insoluble neutral lipids [6]. Studies in X-linked ichthyosis have impli cated cholesterol sulfate as the primary lipid involved in cell adhesion and desquamation of the stratum corneum [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cohesive Properties of Terminally Differentiated Keratinocytes

Brysk

Rajaraman²,

Penn³

et al. 1989

Pathobiology

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The stratum corneum can be dissociated into single squames by several extraction methods: mechanically, with organic solvents, and with detergents. We have performed studies of reaggregation from single squames prepared by these methods. Mechanically dispersed corneocytes recombined into a lamellar-like structure closely resembling intact stratum corneum. Squames obtained by dissociation in ether formed a multilayered structure which differed from the intact tissue in the collapse of the bilayered lamellar structure into a single lucent band with osmiophilic deposits. Squames obtained after extraction with detergent failed to reaggregate.

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The Intercorneocyte Space

Cited by 44 publications

References 65 publications

Solar UV radiation reduces the barrier function of human skin

Solar UV radiation reduces the barrier function of human skin

Stratum corneum Lipid Function

Cohesive Properties of Terminally Differentiated Keratinocytes

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