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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
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Cultivating a Three-dimensional Reconstructed Human Epidermis at a Large Scale
Published on: May 28, 2021
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Permeable Cornified Envelope Layer Regulates the Solute Transport in Human Stratum Corneum
Afshin Zamani Zakaria1, Owen G Jepps1, Tim Gould1
1School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Queensland 4111, Australia; Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|March 17, 2023
Summary
This study models human stratum corneum to understand drug delivery. Numerical analysis revealed lipid permeability influences drug desorption, while diffusion coefficients impact penetration.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Percutaneous drug delivery requires understanding stratum corneum diffusion.
- Finite element models are crucial for analyzing skin barrier function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate diffusion mechanisms in percutaneous drug delivery.
- To develop and apply a brick-and-mortar finite element model of the human stratum corneum.
Main Methods:
- Simulated tritiated water penetration and desorption experiments.
- Utilized transient finite element analysis with a permeable envelope layer and rivet-shaped corneodesmosomes.
- Fitted the model to experimental data to determine unknown parameters.
Main Results:
- Cornified lipid permeability (Penv) significantly impacts solute desorption.
- Lipid transverse diffusion coefficient (Dlip-trans) is key during penetration.
- Determined Penv = 1×10⁻² cm/s and Dlip-trans = 5.7×10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s.
Conclusions:
- The developed model accurately simulates water diffusion in the stratum corneum.
- Quantified critical parameters (Penv and Dlip-trans) for percutaneous transport.
- Provides a foundation for optimizing topical drug delivery systems.
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