The epidermal permeability barrier. Comparison between in vivo and in vitro lipid structures.

The epidermal permeability barrier is established by the lamellar contents of membrane-coating granules which are discharged into the intercellular space of the stratum granulosum and form continuous lipid layers in the stratum corneum. Artificial lipid systems, prepared with a composition similar to that found in stratum granulosum and stratum corneum, were able to form a lamellar phase. These systems show dense line thickness and center-to-center spacing comparable to those found in membrane-coating granules and intercellular layers. The significance of lipid composition in relation to barrier function is discussed and a model showing the molecular arrangement of the lipid structures in the epidermal barrier is proposed.