Hydration Disrupts Human Stratum Corneum Ultrastructure

Abstract

Using transmission and cryo-scanning electron microscopy, we confirm that extended water exposure leads to extensive disruption of stratum corneum intercellular lipid lamellae. We define the in vivo swelling behavior of the stratum corneum: exposure to water for 4 or 24 h results in a 3- or 4-fold expansion of the stratum corneum thickness, respectively. Corneocytes swell uniformly with the exception of the outermost and inner two to four corneocyte layers, which swell less. We show that hydration induces large pools of water in the intercellular space, pools that can exceed the size of water-swollen corneocytes. By 4 h of water exposure there are numerous small and large intercellular pools of water ("cisternae") present throughout the stratum corneum, and at 24 h these cisternae substantially increase in size. Within cisternae the lipid structure is disrupted by lamellar delamination ("roll-up"). Cisternae appear to be disk-shaped structures that do not obviously communicate. Cisternae appear to contain considerable lipidic and other material and to contain a substantial fluid volume that can rival the volume of the dry stratum corneum. Similar results are obtained following urine exposure. With urine exposure, cisternae communicate with salts in the external solution. This study illustrates the disruptive effect of overhydration on the stratum corneum intercellular space, identifies large and numerous unanticipated intercellular cisternal structures, defines the magnitude of stratum corneum swelling, and identifies stratum corneum cell layers that swell less. The study suggests the stratum corneum is a more chaotic structure than previously envisioned, and provides a framework for better understanding desquamation, irritancy, and percutaneous transport.

The effect of slurry on skin permeability to methylene blue dye in dairy cows with and without a history of digital dermatitis

“…This increase in permeability is likely to be caused in part by the high water content of slurry. Contact with water disrupts the stratum corneum structure of human skin in vivo after only 4 h (Warner et al, 2003) and contact with water for 48 h increases human skin permeability and susceptibility to bacterial colonisation (Farage et al, 2007). Other components of slurry may also have a damaging effect on the skin.…”

TEM Assessments of the Restructuring Effects of an Emollient Cream on the <i>stratum corneum</i>

“…The intercellular lipid lamellae can be seen when samples are post-fixed with ruthenium tetroxide (RuO 4 ) [14,15]. Several studies already addressed and documented the issue of extracellular space [3,16,17]. But here, we mainly focused the cellular architecture changes of the stratum corneum with respect to the different experimental conditions, i.e.…”

Is Cancer in Israeli Professional Divers Exposed to Polluted Waters an Occupational Disease?

“…Dermal absorption is complex and various factors might increase or decrease the actual absorption. Divers might have increased absorption of chemicals due to disruption of the stratum corneum due to injured skin or hydration (Warner et al 2003). There may be trapping of pollutants by the wet suit with increased absorption due to a greater hydrostatic pressure and to occlusion (Richter et al 2003).…”

“…Hydration can lead to increased absorption (Warner et al 2003) but nearly all dives in the more polluted Kishon Harbor area were less than 2 h, probably too short to significantly increase dermal absorption. Studies are needed to determine how dermal absorption varies with exposure time to water of various temperatures.…”