Variation of Stratum Corneum Biophysical and Molecular Properties with Anatomic Site

Abstract

Several serine protease enzymes are known to be involved in both normal desquamation and the inflammatory processes of the skin. Alteration in the activity of these proteases should also affect corneocyte maturity and size as well as stratum corneum thickness. The aim of the present work was to characterise the baseline changes in corneocyte size, corneocyte maturity, selected protease activity (specifically, Kallikreins-5 and 7, tryptase), protein content and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) as a function of anatomic site. The anatomic sites investigated were: cheek, abdomen, wrist and mid-ventral forearm. TEWL values were highest for the cheek (p < 0.05). The TEWL values were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) for cheek and wrist compared with other sites. Protein content was significantly lower for wrist (p < 0.05) compared with other sites. Corneocyte maturity and surface area were significantly (p < 0.05) lower for cheek and wrist compared with other sites. An excellent correlation (r (2) = 0.99) was obtained for maturity and surface area measurements. Kallikrein-5 and tryptase activity were significantly higher for the cheek compared with other sites but Kallikrein-7 values were uniform across sites. The findings have significant implications for skin permeability to drugs and other substances such as environmental toxins depending on the anatomic site of delivery or exposure.

Development of a Novel Approach to Studying Corneodesmosomes and Stratum Corneum Adhesion: Extending Knowledge on the Pathophysiology of Sensitive Skin

“…The average area of an individual corneocyte cell extracted by each consecutive tape is given in Figure 7, which clearly shows a larger average cell size on the back as compared to the arm. This trend is in line with data previously reported by Mohammed et al [30] where a variation of corneocyte size and maturity across body sites as well as larger cell size on the trunk compared to extremities and the facial area was observed. We have also detected a decrease in the average cell area as a function of depth (Fig.…”

“…This trend is in line with data previously reported by Mohammed et al [30], where a variation of corneocyte size and maturity across body sites as well as larger cell size on the trunk compared to extremities and facial area was observed.…”

Variation in stratum corneum protein content as a function of anatomical site and ethnic group

“…and Voegeli et al . . We found a good linear correlation ( R 2 = 0.82, n = 400) between IR absorption of forearm tape strippings and mass of SC protein using the colorimetric method (Fig.…”

Stratum Corneum Tape Stripping: Monitoring of Inflammatory Mediators in Atopic Dermatitis Patients Using Topical Therapy

“…In contrast, the collection of the stratum corneum (SC), the uppermost layer of the epidermis, by adhesive tape offers the advantage of obtaining skin samples in a simple and noninvasive manner. This technique has been used to determine different skin biomarkers such as interleukin (IL)-1 cytokines, enzymes, lipids, and filaggrin degradation products [12,13,14,15,16]. However, so far the poor sensitivity of the analytical methods used in this approach has hampered the analysis of inflammatory mediators relevant to AD.…”