Publication
Lipid to protein ratio plays an important role in the skin barrier function of atopic eczema patients
The barrier function of the skin is primarily provided by the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin. Skin barrier impairment is thought to be a primary factor in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema (AE).
- Author
- van Smeden, J.; Janssens, M.; Puppels, G.J.; Lavrijsen, A.P.M.; Caspers, P.J.; Bouwstra, J.A.
- Date
- 14 February 2014
- Links
- Online publication (DOI)
Filaggrin is an epidermal barrier protein and common mutations in the filaggrin gene strongly predispose for AE. However, the role of filaggrin mutations in the decreased skin barrier in AE is not fully understood. It was recently shown that changes in SC lipid composition and organisation play a role in the reduced skin barrier in AE. To determine whether the lipid/protein ratio and the total dry SC mass per surface area are related with the skin barrier function of controls and AE patients. A case-control study was performed to compare non-lesional and lesional skin of AE with skin of controls. The dry SC mass was determined by tape-stripping and squamescan. The ratio between lipid and protein bands in the Raman spectrum was used to determine the lipid/protein ratio. Skin barrier function was assessed by transepidermal water loss.
The results show that the dry SC mass per skin area is altered only in lesional SC of AE patients compared with control subjects. The observed reduction in the lipid/protein ratio in SC of AE patients was more pronounced, both in lesional and non-lesional SC and correlated strongly with the skin barrier function and disease severity.