[Structural and ultrastructural data on human cutaneous lipids].
The principal function of intercellular lipids of the epidermal horny layer is the constitution of an occlusive barrier and regulation of transepidermal water fluxes. Self-assembly of lipid bilayers and formation of multilayered structures can be observed in the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum. Progressive organisation of lipids provokes the lateral displacements of hydrophilic compartments, squeezed aside along the lipid layers towards intercellular junctions (corneodesmosomes). Proteolytic enzymes contained in the hydrophilic material are thus delivered to the extracellular portions of cohesive junctional proteins. Consequently, modifications of the composition and structure of the stratum corneum lipids may influence epidermal desquamation through the regulation of corneodesmosome accessibility to extracellular enzymes.
Haftek
M
M
U.346 Inserm/CNRS, peau humaine et immunité, hôpital Edouard-Herriot, 69437 Lyon, France. haftek@lyon.inserm.fr
D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008055:Lipids