Presence of intact intercellular lipid lamellae in the upper layers of the stratum corneum

摘要: The epidermal permeability barrier necessary for terrestrial life resides in the intercellular spaces of stratum corneum and is composed lipids. Membrane coating granules (MCGs), small intracellular organelles found uppermost layers living epidermis, contain stacks membranous disks which are extruded into space undergo both biochemical physical changes to form lipid sheets constitute this barrier. Using ruthenium tetroxide as a secondary fixative, we able demonstrate lamellae filling corneum. structure these consistent with proposed derivation MCG also suggests that bilayer adjacent corneocyte cell envelope may be assembled from lipids not derived MCGs.