HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bouwstra, J. A. Articles by Ponec, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bouwstra, J. A. Articles by Ponec, M. Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 36, 496-504, Copyright © 1995 by Lipid Research, Inc.

ARTICLES

Characterization of stratum corneum structure in reconstructed epidermis by X-ray diffraction

JA Bouwstra, GS Gooris, A Weerheim, J Kempenaar and M Ponec
Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands.

The intercellular lipid regions in the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin, form the major barrier for diffusion of substances through the skin. The barrier function of in vitro reconstructed epidermis is still impaired. With respect to further optimization of the model, it is necessary to characterize its stratum corneum lipid structure. In this study, small and wide angle X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the lipid organization in stratum corneum isolated from 14-day-old reconstructed epidermis. The measurements were carried out at room temperature, and subsequently as a function of temperature between 25 degrees C and 109 degrees C, followed by measurements after cooling to room temperature. The results of the X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the following in reconstructed epidermis. 1) The lamellar ordering of stratum corneum lipids was much lower than that observed in native stratum corneum. 2) Crystalline anhydrous cholesterol was present. 3) Orthorhombic packing was present, but the corresponding reflections were very weak. The orthorhombic packing disappeared between 30 degrees C and 45 degrees C. 4) A hexagonal packing was present and disappeared between 60 degrees C and 75 degrees C. 5) Soft keratin is present. 6) A higher extent of lamellar ordering could be achieved by heating to 109 degrees C and cooling down to room temperature. Analysis of SC lipids revealed the presence of high amounts of triglycerides, the level of which could be decreased by lowering the glucose content. However, modulation of culture medium composition did not significantly affect lipid lamellae structures or hydrocarbon chain packing.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A. Bouwstra, G. S. Gooris, F. E. R. Dubbelaar, and M. Ponec Cholesterol sulfate and calcium affect stratum corneum lipid organization over a wide temperature range J. Lipid Res., December 1, 1999; 40(12): 2303 - 2312. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]