Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
05:58
Preparation of Single-cell Suspensions for Cytofluorimetric Analysis from Different Mouse Skin Regions
Published on: April 20, 2016
Demographic factors associated with skin barrier function in a large population-based study
Katrina Abuabara1, Benjamin Stroebel1, Shreya Sreekantaswamy1,2
1Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Summary
Older age, female sex, Black race, and higher BMI are linked to better skin barrier function. These factors influence skin permeability, integrity, and recovery, suggesting demographic characteristics impact skin health.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Gerontology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- The skin barrier is crucial for homeostasis, but factors influencing its function are debated.
- Existing research presents conflicting data on the relationship between participant characteristics and skin barrier metrics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between participant demographics and various skin barrier function measures.
- To identify specific characteristics that correlate with enhanced skin barrier performance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 286 participants (aged 32-97) in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
- Assessment of baseline transepidermal water loss, barrier integrity, dynamic barrier function, and barrier recovery.
- Multivariable regression analysis to determine significant associations.
Main Results:
- Older age, female sex, Black race, and higher body mass index were associated with improved skin barrier function measures.
- Specifically, older age correlated with better dynamic barrier function and lower permeability.
- Female and Black participants exhibited enhanced dynamic barrier function, with Black participants also showing better integrity.
Conclusions:
- Demographic factors such as age, sex, race, and BMI play a significant role in modulating skin barrier function.
- These findings contribute to understanding individual variations in skin health and aging.
- Further research into protein expression revealed links between barrier function, composition, and inflammatory markers.
Related Concept Videos
01:27The Skin Microbiota
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
01:18Surface 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...
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...
01:11Papillary Dermis
Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen and...
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen and...
01:12Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular cells,...
01:21Layers 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...
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...