The stratum corneum barrier – From molecular scale to macroscopic properties
Emma Sparr, Sebastian Björklund, Quoc Dat Pham, Enamul Haque Mojumdar, Björn Stenqvist, Maria Gunnarsson, Daniel Topgaard
Abstract
The upper layer of our skin, the stratum corneum (SC), is a versatile material that combines mechanical strength with efficient barrier function. In this paper, we discuss these macroscopic properties of SC in relation to recent findings on molecular responses and structural diversity in SC protein and lipids. We put particular focus on the intermediate (colloidal) length scale and how the different SC substructures are organized with respect to each other, including effects of non-equilibrium conditions in the skin with respect to the gradients in water and other components.
Topics & Concepts
Stratum corneumSkin barrierMaterials scienceBiophysicsScale (ratio)Chemical physicsChemistryNanotechnologyBiological systemPhysicsBiologyDermatologyGeneticsMedicineQuantum mechanicsAdvancements in Transdermal Drug DeliveryProteins in Food SystemsDermatology and Skin Diseases