title: Transcriptional profiling of epidermal barrier formation in vitro.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Barrier function is integral to the health of epithelial tissues. Currently, there is a broad need to develop and improve our knowledge with regard to barrier function for reversal of mild skin irritation and dryness. However, there are few in vitro models that incorporate modulations of both lipids and epidermal differentiation programs for pre-clinical testing to aid in the understanding of barrier health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We have generated a reconstituted epidermis on a decellularized dermis (DED) and characterized its barrier properties relative to human epidermis in order to determine its utility for modeling barrier formation and repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  We followed the process of epidermal differentiation and barrier formation through immunocytochemistry and transcriptional profiling. We examined barrier functionality through measurements of surface pH, lipid composition, stratum corneum water content, and the ability to demonstrate topical dose-dependent exclusion of surfactant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transcriptional profiling of the epidermal model during its formation reveals temporal patterns of gene expression associated with processes regulating barrier function. The profiling is supported by gradual formation and maturation of a stratum corneum and expression of appropriate markers of epidermis development. The model displays a functional barrier and a water gradient between the stratum corneum and viable layers, as determined by confocal Raman spectroscopy. The stratum corneum layer displays a normal acidic pH and an appropriate composition of barrier lipids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The epidermal model demonstrates its utility as an investigative tool for barrier health and provides a window into the transcriptional regulation of multiple aspects of barrier formation.
authors: MatTek Corporation, 200 Homer Avenue, Ashland, MA 01721, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bachelor
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Robert L
authors: RL
authors: Binder
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: R Thomas
authors: RT
authors: Cambron
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Sharon Woods Technical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45241, USA.
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Kaczvinsky
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Sharon Woods Technical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45241, USA.
authors: Russell
authors: R
authors: Spruell
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Kenneth R
authors: KR
authors: Wehmeyer
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Reilman
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Adams
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Jay P
authors: JP
authors: Tiesman
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Charles C
authors: CC
authors: Bascom
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA.
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Isfort
authors: The Procter & Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, OH 45040, USA. Electronic address: dicolandrea.t@pg.com.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: DiColandrea
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000502:physiology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids
keywords: Barrier; Epidermal differentiation; Genomics; Skin equivalent