THE EPIDERMAL PERMEABILITY BARRIER - COMPARISON BETWEEN INVIVO AND INVITRO LIPID STRUCTURES

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (2) , 258-264
Abstract
The epidermal permeability barrier is established by the lamellar contents of membrane-coating granules which are discharged into the intercellular space of the stratum granulosum and form continuous lipid layers in the stratum corneum. Artificial lipid systems, prepared with a composition similar to that found in stratum granulosum and stratum corneum, were able to form a lamellar phase. These systems show dense line thickness and center-to-center spacing comparable to those found in membrane-coating granules and intercellular layers. The significance of lipid composition in relation to barrier function is discussed and a model showing the molecular arrangement of the lipid structures in the epidermal barrier is proposed.