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The skin: an indispensable barrier.

Ehrhardt Proksch¹, Johanna M Brandner, Jens-Michael Jensen

¹Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany. eproksch@dermatology.uni-kiel.de

Experimental Dermatology

|December 2, 2008

Summary

The skin

Area of Science:

Dermatology and skin biology
Epidermal barrier function research

Background:

The skin's physical barrier prevents pathogen invasion and water loss.
The stratum corneum (SC) and epidermis are key components of this barrier.
Barrier integrity is crucial for overall skin health.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the components of the skin's physical barrier.
To explain how barrier function is regulated and altered in skin diseases.
To highlight the role of the skin barrier in dermatoses.

Main Methods:

Review of scientific literature on skin barrier structure and function.
Analysis of the molecular components of the stratum corneum and epidermis.
Examination of the regulation of epidermal differentiation and lipid synthesis.

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Main Results:

The physical barrier comprises corneocytes, intercellular lipids, and epidermal junctions.
Lipids like ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol form extracellular layers.
Filaggrin and the cornified envelope are essential structural elements.
Cytokines, cAMP, and calcium influence barrier formation and maintenance.
Altered epidermal differentiation and lipid composition disrupt skin barrier function.

Conclusions:

A disturbed skin barrier is implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, ichthyosis, and psoriasis.
Understanding barrier regulation is vital for treating inflammatory skin conditions.
Maintaining skin barrier integrity is fundamental to preventing disease.