Stratum Corneum Drying Drives Vertical Compression and Lipid Organization and Improves Barrier Function In vitro

Authors

  • Ichiro Iwai
  • Naomi Kunizawa
  • Eiichiro Yagi
  • Tetsuji Hirao
  • Ichiro Hatta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1423

Keywords:

electron paramagnetic resonance, reconstructed human epidermis, stratum corneum, skin barrier, transepidermal water loss, X-ray diffraction.

Abstract

The stratum corneum dehydrates after exogenous hydration due to skincare or bathing. In this study, sheets of stratum corneum were isolated from reconstructed human epidermis and the barrier function and structure of these sheets were assessed during drying with the aim of improving our understanding of skincare. Water diffusion through the sheets of stratum corneum decreased with drying, accompanied by decreased thickness and increased visible light transmission through the sheets. Electron paramagnetic resonance revealed that the order parameter values of stratum corneum lipids increased with drying. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed increases in the diffraction intensity of lamellar structures, with an 11–12 nm periodicity and spacing of 0.42 nm for lattice structures with drying. These results suggest that the drying process improves the barrier function of the stratum corneum by organizing the intercellular lipids in a vertically compressed arrangement.

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Published

2012-11-05

How to Cite

Iwai, I., Kunizawa, N., Yagi, E., Hirao, T., & Hatta, I. (2012). Stratum Corneum Drying Drives Vertical Compression and Lipid Organization and Improves Barrier Function In vitro. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 93(2), 138–143. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1423

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Section

Articles