Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Cells of the Epidermis

Cells of the Epidermis

The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...

Layers of the Epidermis

Layers of the Epidermis

The epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, is composed of several distinct layers. From deep to superficial, the layers of the epidermis are as follows:
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...

The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...

Extracellular Matrix

Extracellular Matrix

Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

UV light and the barrier: A response to the commentary by J. Gu and R. Weller.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2025

Same author

Review of sensory systems deployed by epidermal keratinocytes.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology·2025

Same author

Sensory Inputs Orchestrate Key Epidermal Functions.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2025

Same author

The Role and Implications of Epidermal Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Inflammaging.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2025

Same author

Epidermal Penetration Increases with Age and May Contribute to Systemic Inflammation.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2025

Same author

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate-Cathelicidin Axis Plays a Pivotal Role in the Development of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale

Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale

Published on: May 28, 2021

Structure and function of the stratum corneum extracellular matrix.

Peter M Elias¹

¹Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dermatology Service, UCSF, San Francisco, California 94121, USA. eliasp@derm.ucsf.edu

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology

|August 17, 2012

Summary

The stratum corneum extracellular matrix (ECM) contains lipids, proteins, and enzymes. Understanding how these diverse components interact is key to barrier function and skin health.

More Related Videos

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Published on: August 22, 2016

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Published on: October 20, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale

Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale

Published on: May 28, 2021

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Improving 2D and 3D Skin In Vitro Models Using Macromolecular Crowding

Published on: August 22, 2016

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture

Published on: October 20, 2023

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Biochemistry
Skin Biology

Background:

The stratum corneum extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for skin's permeability barrier.
Lipids form organized lamellar bilayers within the ECM, with known molecular architecture.
The ECM also contains enzymes, structural proteins, and antimicrobial peptides influencing barrier function.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of diverse ECM components beyond lipids on skin barrier function.
To explore the dynamic nature of the stratum corneum ECM.

Main Methods:

Analysis of ECM composition.
Investigation of molecular interactions within the ECM.
Assessment of barrier function in relation to ECM components.

Main Results:

The stratum corneum ECM is a complex mixture of lipids, enzymes, structural proteins, and antimicrobial peptides.
These diverse components, in addition to lipids, significantly impact skin barrier function.
The ECM is metabolically active and undergoes structural and functional changes during its transit to the skin surface.

Conclusions:

The skin barrier's integrity relies on the complex interplay of multiple ECM components, not solely lipids.
Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles and interactions of non-lipid ECM constituents.
Dynamic models are required to fully understand the stratum corneum ECM's structure and function.