Urokinase-type plasminogen activator is activated in stratum corneum after barrier disruption

Desquamation: It Is Almost All About Proteases

“…uPA activity was also found to be present in the SC, as well as the basal layer after barrier disruption by tape-stripping and sodium lauryl sulfate [ 88,89 ] . Recently it was shown that uPA activation might occur in the SC itself [ 88 ] . uPA and uPAR were reported to be synthesized and secreted in human keratinocytes exposed to UVB [ 90,91 ] .…”

“…The plasminogen system in the epidermis is thought to be the major protease activity involved in the delay of barrier recovery [ 58,88,89 ] . Repeated barrier disruption induces epidermal hyperplasia and is thought to lead to dry skin.…”

The Stratum Corneum and Aging

“…Normally, being observed only in the epidermal basal layers, skin plasmin is widely distributed through the epidermis in dry skin. A urokinasetype plasminogen activator also exists in the stratum corneum [112]. These inflammatory enzymes as well as KLK5 are also increased on barrier-compromised sites such as the face and in fact show a positive correlation with TEWL ( > Fig.…”

Possible Involvement of Basement Membrane Damage by Matrix Metalloproteinases and Serine Proteinases in Skin Aging Process

“…Binding increases the catalytic efficiency and targets generation of plasmin to the immediate pericellular space. In skin, urokinase-type plasminogen activator activity was found to be present in the stratum corneum, as well as the basal layer after barrier disruption [25,26]. The plasminogen/plasmin system in the epidermis is thought to be the major protease activity involved in the delay of barrier recovery [26].…”