Intercellular lamellar lipids in plantar stratum corneum

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Cell Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• The stratum corneum's barrier function is crucial for skin hydration and protection.
• Intercellular lipids and desmosomes are key components of the stratum corneum structure.
• Differences in lipid organization between plantar and non-plantar stratum corneum are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and organization of intercellular lipids in plantar stratum corneum.
• To compare lipid structures in plantar stratum corneum with non-plantar regions.
• To explore the role of desmosomes in the plantar stratum corneum's barrier properties.

Main Methods:

• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed.
• Conventional osmium fixation was used as a baseline.
• Ruthenium tetroxide fixation was utilized to visualize lipid structures.

Main Results:

• Ruthenium tetroxide revealed alternating electron-dense and electron-lucent bands in the plantar stratum corneum intercellular space, indicative of lipid structures.
• These lipid patterns were similar to those observed in non-plantar stratum corneum.
• Extracellular desmosomes occupied a significant portion of the plantar stratum corneum intercellular space.

Conclusions:

• Plantar stratum corneum intercellular lipids are likely qualitatively similar to those in non-plantar regions.
• The increased desmosome presence in plantar stratum corneum may account for its lower overall lipid content.
• Desmosomes might contribute to the higher water permeability of plantar stratum corneum by forming hydrophilic pathways.