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The epidermal permeability barrier.

¹Department of Anatomy, University of Basel, Switzerland.

Anatomy and Embryology

|January 1, 1988

Summary

The skin's permeability barrier, crucial for preventing water loss and environmental toxin entry, resides in the stratum corneum. This barrier is formed by lipid lamellae derived from lamellar granules within keratinocytes.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

The skin's primary barrier function, preventing transepidermal water loss and xenobiotic penetration, is located in the stratum corneum.
This barrier is composed of multiple lipid bilayers within the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the origin and formation process of the lipid lamellae responsible for the skin's permeability barrier.
To understand the unique lipid composition of these lamellae and its role in barrier function.

Main Methods:

Investigated the role of keratinocytes and lamellar granules (LGs) in barrier formation.
Analyzed the lipid composition of LG-derived lamellae and compared it to cellular membranes.

Main Results:

Lamellar granules (LGs), synthesized by keratinocytes, contain lipid-rich disks that are exocytosed and form sheet-like lamellae.
These lamellae, unlike cellular membranes, are primarily composed of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids.
The specific lipid composition of LG-disks and stratum corneum lamellae is integral to the multistage barrier formation process.

Conclusions:

The unique lipid composition and lamellar structure derived from lamellar granules are essential for establishing and maintaining the skin's permeability barrier.
This process highlights a specialized mechanism for barrier formation in the epidermis.

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