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

Surface Membrane Barriers

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...

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...

Physiological Barriers

Physiological Barriers

Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...

Tissue Membranes

Tissue Membranes

A tissue membrane is a thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body, the organs, internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body, and the lining of the moveable joint cavities. There are two basic types of tissue membranes— connective tissue and epithelial membranes.
Connective Tissue Membranes
The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints. A synovial...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Reticulated Erythematous Mucinosis Preceding the Clinical Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The Journal of dermatology·2026

Same author

Multilayered control of mRNA delivery to cell protrusions drives localized mini-cytoplasm establishment for stress-induced cell activation.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Diverse clinical manifestations of porokeratosis caused by somatic variants and promoter hypermethylation of FDFT1.

The British journal of dermatology·2026

Same author

Recurrent cutaneous eosinophilic vasculitis in a child.

European journal of dermatology : EJD·2026

Same author

Atypical clinical and imaging features of aortic angiosarcoma: a case report.

European journal of dermatology : EJD·2026

Same author

Morphological abnormalities in the ureter of type XVII collagen-deficient mice.

Scientific reports·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 1, 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

Epidermal barriers.

¹Department of Dermatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine

|April 3, 2014

Summary

Skin barrier formation involves many factors. Studying diseases like ichthyoses and animal models reveals how disruptions in these factors impact epidermal development and barrier function.

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

The epidermis is a crucial physical barrier preventing water loss and environmental exposure.
Epidermal barrier formation relies on complex interactions between structural components, lipids, and regulatory factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To review human diseases and animal models with disrupted epidermal barriers.
To elucidate the mechanisms of epidermal barrier formation and development.

Main Methods:

Literature review of ichthyoses and relevant animal models.
Analysis of factors implicated in epidermal barrier dysfunction.

Main Results:

Ichthyoses and animal models demonstrate barrier defects due to specific factor ablation.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin

Published on: July 14, 2017

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Skin Model Diversity with Cost-Effective 3D Cellular Models

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Skin Model Diversity with Cost-Effective 3D Cellular Models

Published on: October 20, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 1, 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

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin

Published on: July 14, 2017

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Skin Model Diversity with Cost-Effective 3D Cellular Models

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Skin Model Diversity with Cost-Effective 3D Cellular Models

Published on: October 20, 2023

These models highlight the roles of cornified envelopes, corneocytes, lipids, and regulatory proteins.

Conclusions:

Studying disease and animal models provides critical insights into epidermal barrier formation.
Understanding these disruptions aids in comprehending epidermal development and potential therapeutic targets.