Background: Skin barrier functions develop after birth and may be related to skin disorders in infants. We aimed to assess associations between dynamic trends of four skin barrier functional parameters in early life with infant atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods:Based on the prospective cohort MKNFOAD (NCT02889081), we examined transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), skin pH, and sebum content at five anatomical sites (cheek, forehead, forearm, abdomen, and lower leg) in 418 term infants at birth, 42 days, and 6 months. Trend differences by sex and association with AD at age 1 year were tested using variance analyses. Associations of the parameters with AD risk were tested using discrete time survival analysis, adjusting extensive covariates including parental history of allergy, infant's sex, birth weight (kg), and delivery mode. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were reported.Results: Overall TEWL and SCH appeared trends of increase while skin surface pH and sebum content showed trends of decrease within the first six postnatal months. Sex differences were significant for sebum content only (p < 0.001). After adjustment for parental and children covariates, cheek TEWL at birth (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.00-1.57, p = 0.045) and 42 days (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.17-1.97, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with increased AD risk. Associations were not observed between SCH, skin pH, and sebum content at birth or 42 days with AD.Conclusions: Skin barrier functions of Chinese term infants varied nonlinearly after birth. Higher postnatal TEWL levels in early life indicate higher risk of early-onset AD.

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Background: Vernix caseosa (VC), which is known as a unique human substance, is a biofilm that covers the skin of most human newborns. VC has many biological functions including anti-infective, skin cleansing and skin barrier repair. Objective: In the study, we purpose to investigate the novel effect of lipids extracted from VC on the regulation of filaggrin (FLG) expression and anti-inflammation in normal human epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) cells. Methods: The lipids were extracted by chloroform/methanol (Folch method) and the major properties of fatty acid methyl esters were determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The relative viability of NHEK cells was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit 8 assay. The related expression of skin barrier protein was accessed with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and Immunofluorescence in NHEK cells with or without poly (I:C). Meanwhile, the changes of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) are analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: VC lipids mostly contained saturated and branched chains fatty acids. The expression of mRNA and protein of FLG were significantly increased after the supplement with lipid in NHEK cells. Meanwhile, lipids reversed the inhibition of poly (I:C) on FLG. Moreover, lipids suppressed the over secretion of TSLP and TNF-α induced by poly (I:C). Conclusion: These results indicate that lipids extracted from VC has positive effects on the expression of FLG and anti-inflammation, suggesting that lipids of VC may be used for a reference for novel therapeutic method in reducing and remedying skin disease like atopic disease. (Ann Dermatol 31(6) 611∼620, 2019

Objective Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, and it has serious effects on children's and families’ quality of life. We aimed to screen and evaluate the efficacy of different formulas on relieving of atopic dermatitis clinical symptoms by developing an eczema‐like reconstructed human skin equivalent in vitro. Method Some research has reported that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AD. We developed an eczema‐like in vitro skin equivalent by coculturing the cocktails polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid sodium salt (poly(I:C)) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The eczema‐like skin equivalent was characterized by overexpression of TSLP and impaired skin barrier function. Three cosmetic formulas with the potential of anti‐inflammation and skin barrier promotion were topically applied onto the eczema‐like skin equivalent, mimicking in vivo application. The inhibitory effect on TSLP was examined by ELISA. Effects on tissue viability and skin barrier function were determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Conclusion The results show that eczema‐like skin equivalent induced by cocktails of poly(I:C) and LPS can mimic the skin characters of the atopic dermatitis. The cocktails can induce high TSLP expression, impaired cell viability, and skin barrier function. The cosmetic formulas with the potential of anti‐inflammation and skin barrier promotion were evaluated to be helpful to decrease and relieve the impact of AD with the decreased TSLP and the higher tissue viability than the eczema‐like skin equivalent without any cosmetic application. The eczema‐like skin equivalent can be used to screen and evaluate formulas on AD relieving.

Diaper dermatitis is a common cutaneous disorder characterized with red and spotty, and is sometimes itchy in the diaper area of the infant. The condition is one type of acute nonimmunologic skin inflammation. There were mainly three types of diaper dermatitis, including diaper dermatitis caused by candidiasis, irritant contact dermatitis, and chaffing dermatitis. 1 Chaffing is the most widespread form of mild diaper dermatitis commonly affecting most infants at some point in time. It happens in areas where frictional coefficient from the nappy is high, including the inner surface of the buttocks, thighs, and the surface of the genital areas. 1 Irritant contact diaper dermatitis(IDD) is commonly found in the gluteal crease, buttocks, perianal, and the public areas. It can also include the lower abdominal area as well as the upper thigh area. Irritant contact diaper dermatitis can range in severity from a mild case, with mild localized erythema and minimal scaling, to a moderate case, with increased erythema as well as papules noted to the affected area, and finally to a more severe case where the skin in the diaper area is noted to have papules, pustules, and skin breakdown with open areas. 2 Abstract Background: Diaper dermatitis (DD) is the most common acute inflammatory skin disease. It has a serious effect on children's and families' quality of life. We aimed to screen and evaluate the efficacy of different formulas for relieving the diaper dermatitis symptoms by developing a kind of diaper dermatitis-like reconstructed human skin equivalent in vitro. Materials and Method: We developed the human skin equivalent for diaper dermatitis with 0.2% Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The diaper dermatitis-like human skin equivalent was characterized by high level of inflammation, such as overexpression of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), and impaired skin barrier. Four formulas with potential of antiinflammation and promotion of skin barrier function were topically applied on the diaper dermatitis-like human skin equivalent surface. The afterward protection efficacy was evaluated by endpoints of IL-1α, tissue viability, and skin barrier function. Results: The chemical irritant induced high release of IL-1α, impaired tissue viability, and skin barrier function. The cream prepared with potential of anti-inflammation and skin protection could effectively decrease and relive the impact of irritant with decreased level of IL-1α and the higher tissue viability than the placebo exposure. Conclusion: The results showed that diaper dermatitis-like human skin equivalent induced by SLS can mimic the skin irritation response of the diaper rash. K E Y W O R D S anti-inflammation, Diaper dermatitis, reconstructed human skin equivalent in vitro, skin barrier How to cite this article: Zhuang L, Gu H, Huang Y, Li X, Lu Y, Kaku K. Development of a new diaper dermatitis-like reconstructed skin equivalent for testing children atopic dermatitis relieving cosmetics. Skin Res Technol.