皮肤的屏障作用英文文献.pdfVIP

。 Moisturization and skin barrier function ABSTRACT: Over the past decade ，great progress has been made toward elucidating the structure and function of the stratum corneum (SC),the outermost layer of the epidermis. SCcells (corneocytes) protect against desiccation and environmental by the SC is largely dependent on several factors. First, intercellular lamellar lipids, organized predominantly in an orthorhombic gel phase, provide an effective barrier to the passage of water through the tissue. Secondly, the diffusion path length also retards water loss, since water must traverse the tortuous path created by the SClayers and corneocyte envelopes. Thirdly, and equally important, is natural moisturizing factor (NMF), a complex mixture of low-molecular-weight, water-soluble compounds first formed within thee corneocytes by degradation of the histidine-rich protein known as filaggrin. Each maturation step leading to the formation of an effective moisture barrier －including corneocyte strengthening, lipid processing, and NMF generation －is influenced by the level of SC hydration. These processes, as well as the final step of corneodesmolysis that mediates exfoliations, are often disturbed upon environmental challenge, resulting in dry, flaky skin conditions. The present paper reviews our current understanding of the biology of the SC, particularly its homeostatic mechanisms of hydration. Keywords: corneocyte, corneodesmolysis, filaggrin, natural moisturizing factor, stratum corneum. Introduction For humansto survive in a terrestrial environment, the loss of water from the skin must be carefully regulated by the epidermis, a function dependent on the complex nature of its outer layer, the stratum c