title: Lamellar and inverse micellar structures of skin lipids: effect of templating.
abstract: The outermost layer of skin comprises rigid nonviable cells (corneocytes) in a layered lipid matrix. Using atomistic simulations we find that the equilibrium phase of the skin lipids is inverse micellar. A model of the corneocyte is used to demonstrate that lamellar layering is induced by the patterned corneocyte wall. The inverse micellar phase is consistent with in vivo observations in regions where corneocyte walls are well separated (lacunar spaces) and in the inner layers of skin, and suggests a functional role in the lipid synthesis pathway in vivo.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chinmay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Massimo G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Noro
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Olmsted
mesh_terms: D002518:Ceramides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008823:Micelles; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008823:Micelles; D002784:Cholesterol