title: LC/MS analysis of stratum corneum lipids: ceramide profiling and discovery.
abstract: Ceramides (CERs) in the upper layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), play a key role in the skin barrier function. In human SC, the literature currently reports 11 CER subclasses that have been identified. In this paper, a novel quick and robust LC/MS method is presented that allows the separation and analysis of all known human SC CER subclasses using only limited sample preparation. Besides all 11 known and identified subclasses, a 3D multi-mass chromatogram shows the presence of other lipid subclasses. Using LC/MS/MS with an ion trap (IT) system, a Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance system, and a triple quadrupole system, we were able to identify one of these lipid subclasses as a new CER subclass: the ester-linked ω-hydroxy fatty acid with a dihydrosphingosine base (CER [EOdS]). Besides the identification of a new CER subclass, this paper also describes the applicability and robustness of the developed LC/MS method by analyzing three (biological) SC samples: SC from human dermatomed skin, human SC obtained by tape stripping, and SC from full-thickness skin explants. All three biological samples showed all known CER subclasses and slight differences were observed in CER profile.
authors: Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Jeroen
authors: J
authors: van Smeden
authors: Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Hoppel
authors: Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: van der Heijden
authors: Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands; Netherlands Metabolomics Centre, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Hankemeier
authors: Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands; Netherlands Metabolomics Centre, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors: Rob J
authors: RJ
authors: Vreeken
authors: Division of Drug Delivery Technology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Bouwstra@chem.leidenuniv.nl.
authors: Joke A
authors: JA
authors: Bouwstra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002518:Ceramides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides