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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
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Tissue Engineering of Tumor Stromal Microenvironment with Application to Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: March 18, 2014
Altered permeability barrier structure in cholesteatoma matrix
Viggo Svane-Knudsen1, Lars Halkier-Sørensen, Gurli Rasmussen
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Odense, 5000 Odense, Denmark. svaneknudsen@dadlnet.dk
Summary
Cholesteatoma epithelium has a thicker skin barrier than normal, but it
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The stratum corneum is the primary permeability barrier in cholesteatoma epithelium.
- This barrier is crucial for preventing the entry of infectious and toxic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and functional characteristics of the stratum corneum barrier in cholesteatoma epithelium.
- To compare the cholesteatoma barrier with that of unaffected skin.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic examination of cholesteatoma epithelium samples.
- Analysis of lamellar lipid structures and intercellular spaces.
- Assessment of corneocyte shedding patterns.
Main Results:
- Cholesteatoma barrier is several times thicker than unaffected skin but exhibits defects.
- Intercellular spaces are twisted, and extracellular barrier formation is disturbed.
- Corneocytes are shed in clusters, and lipid metabolism appears altered.
Conclusions:
- Despite increased thickness, the cholesteatoma barrier shows signs of dysfunction.
- The origin of the stimulus for increased lipid metabolism remains undetermined.
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