1
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Perrone B, Gunnarsson M, Bernin D, Sparr E, Topgaard D. Cryogenic probe technology enables multidimensional solid-state NMR of the stratum corneum without isotope labeling. SOLID STATE NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE 2024; 134:101972. [PMID: 39357420 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssnmr.2024.101972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Solid-state NMR has great potential for investigating molecular structure, dynamics, and organization of the stratum corneum, the outer 10-20 μm of the skin, but is hampered by the unfeasibility of isotope labelling as generally required to reach sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for the more informative multidimensional NMR techniques. In this preliminary study of pig stratum corneum at 35 °C and water-free conditions, we demonstrate that cryogenic probe technology offers sufficient signal boost to observe previously undetectable minor resonances that can be uniquely assigned to fluid cholesterol, ceramides, and triacylglycerols, as well as enables 1H-1H spin diffusion monitored by 2D 1H-13C HETCOR to estimate 1-100 nm distances between specific atomic sites on proteins and lipids. The new capabilities open up for future multidimensional solid-state NMR studies to answer long-standing questions about partitioning of additives, such as pharmaceutically active substances, between solid and liquid domains within the protein and lipid phases in the stratum corneum and the lipids of the sebum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Bernin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Emma Sparr
- Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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2
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Shamaprasad P, Nădăban A, Iacovella CR, Gooris GS, Bunge AL, Bouwstra JA, McCabe C. The phase behavior of skin-barrier lipids: A combined approach of experiments and simulations. Biophys J 2024; 123:3188-3204. [PMID: 39030908 PMCID: PMC11447553 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin barrier function is localized in its outermost layer, the stratum corneum (SC), which is comprised of corneocyte cells embedded in an extracellular lipid matrix containing ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFAs). The unique structure and composition of this lipid matrix are important for skin barrier function. In this study, experiments and molecular dynamics simulation were combined to investigate the structural properties and phase behavior of mixtures containing nonhydroxy sphingosine CER (CER NS), CHOL, and FFA. X-ray scattering for mixtures with varying CHOL levels revealed the presence of the 5.4 nm short periodicity phase in the presence of CHOL. Bilayers in coarse-grained multilayer simulations of the same compositions contained domains with thicknesses of approximately 5.3 and 5.8 nm that are associated with elevated levels, respectively, of CER sphingosine chains with CHOL, and CER acyl chains with FFA chains. The prevalence of the thicker domain increased with decreasing CHOL content. This might correspond to a phase with ∼5.8 nm spacing observed by x-rays (other details unknown) in mixtures with lower CHOL content. Scissoring and stretching frequencies from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also indicate interaction between FFA and CER acyl chains and little interaction between CER acyl and CER sphingosine chains, which requires CER molecules to adopt a predominantly extended conformation. In the simulated systems, neighbor preferences of extended CER chains align more closely with the FTIR observations than those of CERs with hairpin ceramide chains. Both FTIR and atomistic simulations of reverse mapped multilayer membranes detect a hexagonal to fluid phase transition between 65 and 80°C. These results demonstrate the utility of a collaborative experimental and simulation effort in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of SC lipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashara Shamaprasad
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Andreea Nădăban
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher R Iacovella
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Gerrit S Gooris
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Annette L Bunge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Clare McCabe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; School of Engineering and Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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3
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Nicolaou A, Kendall AC. Bioactive lipids in the skin barrier mediate its functionality in health and disease. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 260:108681. [PMID: 38897295 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Our skin protects us from external threats including ultraviolet radiation, pathogens and chemicals, and prevents excessive trans-epidermal water loss. These varied activities are reliant on a vast array of lipids, many of which are unique to skin, and that support physical, microbiological and immunological barriers. The cutaneous physical barrier is dependent on a specific lipid matrix that surrounds terminally-differentiated keratinocytes in the stratum corneum. Sebum- and keratinocyte-derived lipids cover the skin's surface and support and regulate the skin microbiota. Meanwhile, lipids signal between resident and infiltrating cutaneous immune cells, driving inflammation and its resolution in response to pathogens and other threats. Lipids of particular importance include ceramides, which are crucial for stratum corneum lipid matrix formation and therefore physical barrier functionality, fatty acids, which contribute to the acidic pH of the skin surface and regulate the microbiota, as well as the stratum corneum lipid matrix, and bioactive metabolites of these fatty acids, involved in cell signalling, inflammation, and numerous other cutaneous processes. These diverse and complex lipids maintain homeostasis in healthy skin, and are implicated in many cutaneous diseases, as well as unrelated systemic conditions with skin manifestations, and processes such as ageing. Lipids also contribute to the gut-skin axis, signalling between the two barrier sites. Therefore, skin lipids provide a valuable resource for exploration of healthy cutaneous processes, local and systemic disease development and progression, and accessible biomarker discovery for systemic disease, as well as an opportunity to fully understand the relationship between the host and the skin microbiota. Investigation of skin lipids could provide diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and help identify new targets for interventions. Development and improvement of existing in vitro and in silico approaches to explore the cutaneous lipidome, as well as advances in skin lipidomics technologies, will facilitate ongoing progress in skin lipid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nicolaou
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9NT, UK; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation; Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
| | - Alexandra C Kendall
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
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4
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Nădăban A, Frame CO, El Yachioui D, Gooris GS, Dalgliesh RM, Malfois M, Iacovella CR, Bunge AL, McCabe C, Bouwstra JA. The Sphingosine and Phytosphingosine Ceramide Ratio in Lipid Models Forming the Short Periodicity Phase: An Experimental and Molecular Simulation Study. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:13794-13809. [PMID: 38917358 PMCID: PMC11238587 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The lipids located in the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum (SC), play a crucial role in maintaining the skin barrier function. The primary components of the SC lipid matrix are ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFAs). They form two crystalline lamellar phases: the long periodicity phase (LPP) and the short periodicity phase (SPP). In inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, there are changes in the SC CER composition, such as an increased concentration of a sphingosine-based CER (CER NS) and a reduced concentration of a phytosphingosine-based CER (CER NP). In the present study, a lipid model was created exclusively forming the SPP, to examine whether alterations in the CER NS:CER NP molar ratio would affect the lipid organization. Experimental data were combined with molecular dynamics simulations of lipid models containing CER NS:CER NP at ratios of 1:2 (mimicking a healthy SC ratio) and 2:1 (observed in inflammatory skin diseases), mixed with CHOL and lignoceric acid as the FFA. The experimental findings show that the acyl chains of CER NS and CER NP and the FFA are in close proximity within the SPP unit cell, indicating that CER NS and CER NP adopt a linear conformation, similarly as observed for the LPP. Both the experiments and simulations indicate that the lamellar organization is the same for the two CER NS:CER NP ratios while the SPP NS:NP 1:2 model had a slightly denser hydrogen bonding network than the SPP NS:NP 2:1 model. The simulations show that this might be attributed to intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the additional hydroxide group on the headgroup of CER NP compared with CER NS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Nădăban
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Chloe O Frame
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Dounia El Yachioui
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit S Gooris
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Dalgliesh
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Malfois
- ALBA Synchrotron, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08290 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christopher R Iacovella
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Annette L Bunge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States of America
| | - Clare McCabe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1604, United States of America
- School of Engineering and Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden 2333CC, The Netherlands
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5
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Mojsiewicz-Pieńkowska K, Bazar D, Filipecki J, Chamerski K. Investigating the Free Volumes as Nanospaces in Human Stratum Corneum Lipid Bilayers Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6472. [PMID: 38928177 PMCID: PMC11203785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This work is the first one that provides not only evidence for the existence of free volumes in the human stratum corneum but also focuses on comparing these experimental data, obtained through the unique positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) method, with theoretical values published in earlier works. The mean free volume of 0.269 nm was slightly lower than the theoretical value of 0.4 nm. The lifetime τ3 (1.83 ns with a coefficient of variation CV of 3.21%) is dependent on the size of open sites in the skin. This information was used to calculate the free volume radius R (0.269 nm with CV 2.14%), free volume size Vf (0.081 nm3 with CV 4.69%), and the intensity I3 (9.01% with CV 10.94%) to estimate the relative fractional free volume fv (1.32 a.u. with CV 13.68%) in human skin ex vivo. The relation between the lifetime of o-Ps (τ3) and the radius of free volume (R) was formulated using the Tao-Eldrup model, which assumes spherical voids and applies to sites with radii smaller than 1 nm. The results indicate that PALS is a powerful tool for confirming the existence of free volumes and determining their size. The studies also focused on describing the probable locations of these nanospaces in SC lipid bilayers. According to the theory, these play an essential role in dynamic processes in biological systems, including the diffusion of low-molecular-weight hydrophobic and moderately hydrophilic molecules. The mechanism of their formation has been determined by the molecular dynamics of the lipid chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Mojsiewicz-Pieńkowska
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Józefa Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Dagmara Bazar
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. Józefa Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Jacek Filipecki
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science & Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (J.F.); (K.C.)
| | - Kordian Chamerski
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science & Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland; (J.F.); (K.C.)
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6
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Yang MY, Lee E, Park CS, Nam YS. Molecular Dynamics Investigation into CerENP's Effect on the Lipid Matrix of Stratum Corneum. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:5378-5386. [PMID: 38805566 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular lipid matrix in the stratum corneum (SC) plays a critical role in skin barrier functionality, comprising three primary components: ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. The diverse ceramides, differentiated by molecular structures such as hydroxylations and varying chain lengths, are essential for the lipid matrix's structural integrity. Recently, a new subclass of ceramide, 1-O-acylceramide NP (CerENP), has been identified; however, its precise role in the lipid matrix of the SC is still elusive. Herein, we investigate the role of CerENP on the structure and permeability of the SC using molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings indicate that CerENP contributes to a compact lipid matrix in the lateral dimension of our SC model with a repeat distance of about 13 nm. Additionally, ethanol permeability assessments show that CerENP effectively reduces molecular penetration through the lipid matrix. This study provides an insight into the role of a new subclass of ceramide in the SC, enhancing our understanding of skin structure and the mechanisms behind barrier dysfunction in skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Young Yang
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Eunok Lee
- LCS Biotech Co. Ltd., 11-2, Deokseongsandan 2-ro 50, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si 17130, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Seo Park
- LCS Biotech Co. Ltd., 11-2, Deokseongsandan 2-ro 50, Idong-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si 17130, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Sung Nam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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7
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Dwivedi A, Mazumder A, Pullmannová P, Paraskevopoulou A, Opálka L, Kováčik A, Macháček M, Jančálková P, Svačinová P, Peterlik H, Maixner J, Vávrová K. Lipid Monolayer on Cell Surface Protein Templates Functional Extracellular Lipid Assembly. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307793. [PMID: 38243890 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
When the ancestors of men moved from aquatic habitats to the drylands, their evolutionary strategy to restrict water loss is to seal the skin surface with lipids. It is unknown how these rigid ceramide-dominated lipids with densely packed chains squeeze through narrow extracellular spaces and how they assemble into their complex multilamellar architecture. Here it is shown that the human corneocyte lipid envelope, a monolayer of ultralong covalently bound lipids on the cell surface protein, templates the functional barrier assembly by partly fluidizing and rearranging the free extracellular lipids in its vicinity during the sculpting of a functional skin lipid barrier. The lipid envelope also maintains the fluidity of the extracellular lipids during mechanical stress. This local lipid fluidization does not compromise the permeability barrier. The results provide new testable hypotheses about epidermal homeostasis and the pathophysiology underlying diseases with impaired lipid binding to corneocytes, such as congenital ichthyosis. In a broader sense, this lipoprotein-mediated fluidization of rigid (sphingo)lipid patches may also be relevant to lipid rafts and cellular signaling events and inspire new functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupma Dwivedi
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Anisha Mazumder
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Paraskevopoulou
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Kováčik
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslav Macháček
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Jančálková
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Svačinová
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Herwig Peterlik
- Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Jaroslav Maixner
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague, 16628, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, Hradec Králové, 50005, Czech Republic
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8
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Jiang Z, Liu S, Yuan S, Zhang H, Yuan S. Models of the Three-Component Bilayer of Stratum Corneum: A Molecular Simulation Study. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:3833-3843. [PMID: 38603528 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c08461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The construction of the stratum corneum (SC) is crucial to the problems of transdermal drug delivery. SC consists of the keratinocyte layers and the lipid matrix surrounding it. Among them, the lipid matrix is the barrier for many exogenous molecules, mainly composed of ceramides (CERs), free fatty acids (FFA), and cholesterol (CHOL). In this work, we developed single-component (CERs, CER-NS, and CER-EOS) and six three-component models, and each model was simulated by using the GROMOS-54A7 force field. Short-period phase (SPP) and long-period phase (LPP) systems were established separately, and area per lipid (APL), thickness, order of carbon chain (SCD), and density distribution were analyzed. The transition of CER-NS and CER-EOS in LPP was observed. The results of hydrogen bonds in the lipid systems indicated that a strong hydrogen-bond network was formed between the skin-lipid bilayers. Umbrella sampling method simulations were performed to calculate the free energy change of ethanol moving into the skin-lipid bilayer. The results revealed that ethanol molecules pulled some water molecules into the membrane when they passed through SPP-1. Our findings provided some insights and models of the stratum corneum that could be used for the subsequent mechanism of macromolecule permeation through membranes in drugs, cosmetics, and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoli Jiang
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P. R. China
| | - Shideng Yuan
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
| | - Shiling Yuan
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250100, P. R. China
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9
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Paraskevopoulos G, Fandrei F, Kumar Pratihast A, Paraskevopoulou A, Panoutsopoulou E, Opálka L, Singh Mithu V, Huster D, Vávrová K. Effects of imidazolium ionic liquids on skin barrier lipids - Perspectives for drug delivery. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 659:449-462. [PMID: 38183811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.12.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) have great potential to facilitate transdermal and topical drug delivery. Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of amphiphilic ILs 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide (C8MIM) and 3-dodecyl-1-methylimidazolium bromide (C12MIM) in skin barrier lipid models in comparison to their complex effects in human skin. C8MIM incorporated in a skin lipid model was a better permeation enhancer than C12MIM for water and model drugs, theophylline and diclofenac. Solid state 2H NMR and X-ray diffraction indicated that both ILs prefer the cholesterol-rich regions in skin lipids without significantly perturbing their lamellar arrangement and that C8MIM induces the formation of an isotropic lipid phase to a greater extent compared to C12MIM. C12MIM applied topically to the lipid model or human skin as a pretreatment was more potent than C8MIM. When co-applied with the drugs to human skin, aqueous C12MIM was more potent than C8MIM in enhancing theophylline permeation, but neither IL affected (even decreased) diclofenac permeation. Thus, the IL's ability to permeabilize skin lipid barrier is strongly modulated by its ability to reach the site of action and its interactions with drug and solvent. Such an interplay is far from trivial and requires detailed investigation to realize the full potential of ILs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Paraskevopoulos
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ferdinand Fandrei
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ajit Kumar Pratihast
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Paraskevopoulou
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Eleni Panoutsopoulou
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Venus Singh Mithu
- Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, India
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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10
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Mijaljica D, Townley JP, Spada F, Harrison IP. The heterogeneity and complexity of skin surface lipids in human skin health and disease. Prog Lipid Res 2024; 93:101264. [PMID: 37940006 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The outermost epidermal layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, is not simply a barrier that safeguards skin integrity from external insults and invaders, it is also a delicately integrated interface composed of firm, essentially dead corneocytes and a distinctive lipid matrix. Together, the stratum corneum lipid matrix and sebum lipids derived from sebaceous glands give rise to a remarkably complex but quite unique blend of skin surface lipids that demonstrates tremendous heterogeneity and provides the skin with its indispensable protective coating. The stratum corneum lipid matrix is composed primarily of three major lipid classes: ceramides, non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol, whereas sebum is a waxy mixture predominantly composed of acylglycerols, wax esters, non-esterified fatty acids, squalene, cholesterol and cholesterol esters. The balance of these skin surface lipids in terms of their relative abundance, composition, molecular organisation and dynamics, and their intricate interactions play a crucial role in the maintenance of healthy skin. For that reason, even minuscule alterations in skin surface lipid properties or overall lipid profile have been implicated in the aetiology of many common skin diseases including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, xerosis, ichthyosis and acne. Novel lipid-based interventions aimed at correcting the skin surface lipid abnormalities have the potential to repair skin barrier integrity and the symptoms associated with such skin diseases, even though the exact mechanisms of lipid restoration remain elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Mijaljica
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, 21-31 Malcolm Road, Braeside, Victoria 3195, Australia.
| | - Joshua P Townley
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, 21-31 Malcolm Road, Braeside, Victoria 3195, Australia.
| | - Fabrizio Spada
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, 21-31 Malcolm Road, Braeside, Victoria 3195, Australia.
| | - Ian P Harrison
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, 21-31 Malcolm Road, Braeside, Victoria 3195, Australia.
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11
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Bouwstra JA, Nădăban A, Bras W, McCabe C, Bunge A, Gooris GS. The skin barrier: An extraordinary interface with an exceptional lipid organization. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 92:101252. [PMID: 37666282 PMCID: PMC10841493 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The barrier function of the skin is primarily located in the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin. The SC is composed of dead cells with highly organized lipid lamellae in the intercellular space. As the lipid matrix forms the only continuous pathway, the lipids play an important role in the permeation of compounds through the SC. The main lipid classes are ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL) and free fatty acids (FFAs). Analysis of the SC lipid matrix is of crucial importance in understanding the skin barrier function, not only in healthy skin, but also in inflammatory skin diseases with an impaired skin barrier. In this review we provide i) a historical overview of the steps undertaken to obtain information on the lipid composition and organization in SC of healthy skin and inflammatory skin diseases, ii) information on the role CERs, CHOL and FFAs play in the lipid phase behavior of very complex lipid model systems and how this knowledge can be used to understand the deviation in lipid phase behavior in inflammatory skin diseases, iii) knowledge on the role of both, CER subclasses and chain length distribution, on lipid organization and lipid membrane permeability in complex and simple model systems with synthetic CERs, CHOL and FFAs, iv) similarity in lipid phase behavior in SC of different species and complex model systems, and vi) future directions in modulating lipid composition that is expected to improve the skin barrier in inflammatory skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Andreea Nădăban
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Bras
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, One Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, United States of America
| | - Clare McCabe
- School of Engineering & Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Annette Bunge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, United States of America
| | - Gerrit S Gooris
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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12
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Fandrei F, Havrišák T, Opálka L, Engberg O, Smith A, Pullmannová P, Kučerka N, Ondrejčeková V, Demé B, Nováková L, Steinhart M, Vávrová K, Huster D. The Intriguing Molecular Dynamics of Cer[EOS] in Rigid Skin Barrier Lipid Layers Requires Improvement of the Model. J Lipid Res 2023; 64:100356. [PMID: 36948272 PMCID: PMC10154977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Omega-O-acyl ceramides such as 32-linoleoyloxydotriacontanoyl sphingosine (Cer[EOS]) are essential components of the lipid skin barrier, which protects our body from excessive water loss and the penetration of unwanted substances. These ceramides drive the lipid assembly to epidermal-specific long periodicity phase (LPP), structurally much different than conventional lipid bilayers. Here, we synthesized Cer[EOS] with selectively deuterated segments of the ultralong N-acyl chain or deuterated or 13C-labeled linoleic acid and studied their molecular behavior in a skin lipid model. Solid-state 2H NMR data revealed surprising molecular dynamics for the ultralong N-acyl chain of Cer[EOS] with increased isotropic motion towards the isotropic ester-bound linoleate. The sphingosine moiety of Cer[EOS] is also highly mobile at skin temperature, in stark contrast to the other LPP components, N-lignoceroyl sphingosine acyl, lignoceric acid and cholesterol, which are predominantly rigid. The dynamics of the linoleic chain is quantitatively described by distributions of correlation times and using dynamic detector analysis. These NMR results along with neutron diffraction data suggest an LPP structure with alternating fluid (sphingosine chain-rich), rigid (acyl chain-rich), isotropic (linoleate-rich), rigid (acyl-chain rich), and fluid layers (sphingosine chain-rich). Such an arrangement of the skin barrier lipids with rigid layers separated with two different dynamic "fillings" i) agrees well with ultrastructural data, ii) satisfies the need for simultaneous rigidity (to ensure low permeability) and fluidity (to ensure elasticity, accommodate enzymes or antimicrobial peptides), and iii) offers a straightforward way to remodel the lamellar body lipids into the final lipid barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Fandrei
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tomáš Havrišák
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Oskar Engberg
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - AlbertA Smith
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Norbert Kučerka
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University in Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Ondrejčeková
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Bruno Demé
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble, CEDEX 9, France
| | - Lucie Nováková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Miloš Steinhart
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Science in Prague, Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04275 Leipzig, Germany
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13
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Pullmannová P, Čuříková-Kindlová BA, Ondrejčeková V, Kováčik A, Dvořáková K, Dulanská L, Georgii R, Majcher A, Maixner J, Kučerka N, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Polymorphism, Nanostructures, and Barrier Properties of Ceramide-Based Lipid Films. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:422-435. [PMID: 36643519 PMCID: PMC9835644 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ceramides belong to sphingolipids, an important group of cellular and extracellular lipids. Their physiological functions range from cell signaling to participation in the formation of barriers against water evaporation. In the skin, they are essential for the permeability barrier, together with free fatty acids and cholesterol. We examined the periodical structure and permeability of lipid films composed of ceramides (Cer; namely, N-lignoceroyl 6-hydroxysphingosine, CerNH24, and N-lignoceroyl sphingosine, CerNS24), lignoceric acid (LIG; 24:0), and cholesterol (Chol). X-ray diffraction experiments showed that the CerNH24-based samples form either a short lamellar phase (SLP, d ∼ 5.4 nm) or a medium lamellar phase (MLP, d = 10.63-10.78 nm) depending on the annealing conditions. The proposed molecular arrangement of the MLP based on extended Cer molecules also agreed with the relative neutron scattering length density profiles obtained from the neutron diffraction data. The presence of MLP increased the lipid film permeability to the lipophilic model permeant (indomethacin) relative to the CerNS24-based control samples and the samples that had the same lipid composition but formed an SLP. Thus, the arrangement of lipids in various nanostructures is responsive to external conditions during sample preparation. This polymorphic behavior directly affects the barrier properties, which could also be (patho)physiologically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Pullmannová
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora A. Čuříková-Kindlová
- Faculty
of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry
and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Ondrejčeková
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Kováčik
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Dvořáková
- Faculty
of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry
and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Dulanská
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Georgii
- Heinz
Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Technische
Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 1, 85748Garching, Germany
| | - Adam Majcher
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Maixner
- Faculty
of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry
and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Norbert Kučerka
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Comenius University Bratislava, Odbojárov 10, 832 32Bratislava, Slovakia
- Frank
Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Joint Institute
for Nuclear Research, Joliot-Curie 6, 141980Dubna, Russia
| | - Jarmila Zbytovská
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- Faculty
of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry
and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin
Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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14
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Nădăban A, Gooris GS, Beddoes CM, Dalgliesh RM, Bouwstra JA. Phytosphingosine ceramide mainly localizes in the central layer of the unique lamellar phase of skin lipid model systems. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100258. [PMID: 35931203 PMCID: PMC9421324 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the lipid arrangement within the skin's outermost layer, the stratum corneum (SC), is important for advancing knowledge on the skin barrier function. The SC lipid matrix consists of ceramides (CERs), cholesterol, and free fatty acids, which form unique crystalline lamellar phases, referred to as the long periodicity phase (LPP) and short periodicity phases. As the SC lipid composition is complex, lipid model systems that mimic the properties of native SC are used to study the SC lipid organization and molecular arrangement. In previous studies, such lipid models were used to determine the molecular organization in the trilayer structure of the LPP unit cell. The aim of this study was to examine the location of CER N-(tetracosanoyl)-phytosphingosine (CER NP) in the unit cell of this lamellar phase and compare its position with CER N-(tetracosanoyl)-sphingosine (CER NS). We selected CER NP as it is the most prevalent CER subclass in the human SC, and its location in the LPP is not known. Our neutron diffraction results demonstrate that the acyl chain of CER NP was positioned in the central part of the trilayer structure, with a fraction also present in the outer layers, the same location as determined for the acyl chain of CER NS. In addition, our Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy results are in agreement with this molecular arrangement, suggesting a linear arrangement for the CER NS and CER NP. These findings provide more detailed insight into the lipid organization in the SC lipid matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Nădăban
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit S Gooris
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte M Beddoes
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Dalgliesh
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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15
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Shamaprasad P, Frame CO, Moore TC, Yang A, Iacovella CR, Bouwstra JA, Bunge AL, McCabe C. Using molecular simulation to understand the skin barrier. Prog Lipid Res 2022; 88:101184. [PMID: 35988796 PMCID: PMC10116345 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2022.101184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Skin's effectiveness as a barrier to permeation of water and other chemicals rests almost entirely in the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC), which consists of layers of corneocytes surrounded by highly organized lipid lamellae. As the only continuous path through the SC, transdermal permeation necessarily involves diffusion through these lipid layers. The role of the SC as a protective barrier is supported by its exceptional lipid composition consisting of ceramides (CERs), cholesterol (CHOL), and free fatty acids (FFAs) and the complete absence of phospholipids, which are present in most biological membranes. Molecular simulation, which provides molecular level detail of lipid configurations that can be connected with barrier function, has become a popular tool for studying SC lipid systems. We review this ever-increasing body of literature with the goals of (1) enabling the experimental skin community to understand, interpret and use the information generated from the simulations, (2) providing simulation experts with a solid background in the chemistry of SC lipids including the composition, structure and organization, and barrier function, and (3) presenting a state of the art picture of the field of SC lipid simulations, highlighting the difficulties and best practices for studying these systems, to encourage the generation of robust reproducible studies in the future. This review describes molecular simulation methodology and then critically examines results derived from simulations using atomistic and then coarse-grained models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashara Shamaprasad
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Chloe O Frame
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Timothy C Moore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Alexander Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Christopher R Iacovella
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Annette L Bunge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, United States of America
| | - Clare McCabe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1604, United States of America; School of Engineering and Physical Science, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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16
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Shamaprasad P, Moore TC, Xia D, Iacovella CR, Bunge AL, McCabe C. Multiscale Simulation of Ternary Stratum Corneum Lipid Mixtures: Effects of Cholesterol Composition. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:7496-7511. [PMID: 35671175 PMCID: PMC9309713 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations of mixtures of the ceramide nonhydroxy-sphingosine (NS), cholesterol, and a free fatty acid are performed to gain molecular-level understanding of the structure of the lipids found in the stratum corneum layer of skin. A new coarse-grained force field for cholesterol was developed using the multistate iterative Boltzmann inversion (MS-IBI) method. The coarse-grained cholesterol force field is compatible with previously developed coarse-grained force fields for ceramide NS, free fatty acids, and water and validated against atomistic simulations of these lipids using the CHARMM force field. Self-assembly simulations of multilayer structures using these coarse-grained force fields are performed, revealing that a large fraction of the ceramides adopt extended conformations, which cannot occur in the single bilayer in water structures typically studied using molecular simulation. Cholesterol fluidizes the membrane by promoting packing defects, and an increase in cholesterol content is found to reduce the bilayer thickness due to an increase in interdigitation of the C24 lipid tails, consistent with experimental observations. Using a reverse-mapping procedure, a self-assembled coarse-grained multilayer system is used to construct an equivalent structure with atomistic resolution. Simulations of this atomistic structure are found to closely agree with experimentally derived neutron scattering length density profiles. Significant interlayer hydrogen bonding is observed in the inner layers of the atomistic multilayer structure that are not found in the outer layers in contact with water or in equivalent bilayer structures. This work highlights the importance of simulating multilayer structures, as compared to the more commonly studied bilayer systems, to enable more appropriate comparisons with multilayer experimental membranes. These results also provide validation of the efficacy of the MS-IBI derived coarse-grained force fields and the framework for multiscale simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parashara Shamaprasad
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
- Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
| | - Timothy C. Moore
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
- Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
| | - Donna Xia
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
- Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
| | - Christopher R. Iacovella
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
- Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
| | - Annette L. Bunge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA, 80401
| | - Clare McCabe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
- Multiscale Modeling and Simulation (MuMS) Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, 37235-1604
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17
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Opálka L, Meyer JM, Ondrejčeková V, Svatošová L, Radner FPW, Vávrová K. ω-O-Acylceramides but not ω-hydroxy ceramides are required for healthy lamellar phase architecture of skin barrier lipids. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100226. [PMID: 35568253 PMCID: PMC9192818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal omega-O-acylceramides (ω-O-acylCers) are essential components of a competent skin barrier. These unusual sphingolipids with ultralong N-acyl chains contain linoleic acid esterified to the terminal hydroxyl of the N-acyl, the formation of which requires the transacylase activity of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 1 (PNPLA1). In ichthyosis with dysfunctional PNPLA1, ω-O-acylCer levels are significantly decreased, and ω-hydroxylated Cers (ω-OHCers) accumulate. Here we explore the role of the linoleate moiety in ω-O-acylCers in the assembly of the skin lipid barrier. Ultrastructural studies of skin samples from neonatal Pnpla1+/+ and Pnpla1-/- mice showed that the linoleate moiety in ω-O-acylCers is essential for lamellar pairing in lamellar bodies, as well as for stratum corneum lipid assembly into the long periodicity lamellar phase (LPP). To further study the molecular details of ω-O-acylCer deficiency on skin barrier lipid assembly, we built in vitro lipid models composed of major stratum corneum lipid subclasses containing either ω-O-acylCer (healthy skin model), ω-OHCer (Pnpla1-/- model), or combination of the two. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and permeability studies indicated that ω-OHCers could not substitute for ω-O-acylCers, although in favorable conditions, they form a medium lamellar phase with a 10.8 nm-repeat distance and permeability barrier properties similar to LPP. In the absence of ω-O-acylCers, skin lipids were prone to separation into two phases with diminished barrier properties. The models combining ω-OHCers with ω-O-acylCers indicated that accumulation of ω-OHCers does not prevent ω-O-acylCer-driven lamellar stacking. These data suggest that ω-O-acylCer supplementation may be a viable therapeutic option in patients with PNPLA1 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukáš Opálka
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Jason M Meyer
- Department of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Veronika Ondrejčeková
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Linda Svatošová
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Franz P W Radner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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18
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Cholesterol Sulfate Fluidizes the Sterol Fraction of the Stratum Corneum Lipid Phase and Increases its Permeability. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100177. [PMID: 35143845 PMCID: PMC8953687 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Desulfation of cholesterol sulfate (CholS) to cholesterol (Chol) is an important event in epidermal homeostasis and necessary for stratum corneum (SC) barrier function. The CholS/Chol ratio decreases during SC maturation but remains high in pathological conditions, such as X-linked ichthyosis, characterized by dry and scaly skin. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of the CholS/Chol molar ratio on the structure, dynamics, and permeability of SC lipid model mixtures. We synthesized deuterated CholS and investigated lipid models with specifically deuterated components using 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy at temperatures from 25°C to 80°C. Although the rigid acyl chains in ceramides and fatty acids remained essentially rigid upon variation of the CholS/Chol ratio, both sterols were increasingly fluidized in lipid models containing higher CholS concentrations. We also show the X-ray repeat distance of the lipid lamellar phase (105 Å) and the orthorhombic chain packing of the ceramide’s acyl chains and long free fatty acids did not change upon the variation of the CholS content. However, the Chol phase separation visible in models with high Chol concentration disappeared at the 50:50 CholS/Chol ratio. This increased fluidity resulted in higher permeabilities to model markers of these SC models. These results reveal that a high CholS/Chol ratio fluidizes the sterol fraction and increases the permeability of the SC lipid phase while maintaining the lamellar lipid arrangement with an asymmetric sterol distribution.
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19
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Sagrafena I, Paraskevopoulos G, Pullmannová P, Opálka L, Nováčková A, Lourantou O, Vávrová K. Assembly of Human Stratum Corneum Lipids In Vitro: Fluidity Matters. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:2036-2039.e3. [PMID: 34942198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Sagrafena
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Georgios Paraskevopoulos
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Opálka
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Nováčková
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Ourania Lourantou
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Skin Barrier Research Group, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Akademika Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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Nováčková A, Sagrafena I, Pullmannová P, Paraskevopoulos G, Dwivedi A, Mazumder A, Růžičková K, Slepička P, Zbytovská J, Vávrová K. Acidic pH Is Required for the Multilamellar Assembly of Skin Barrier Lipids In Vitro. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:1915-1921.e4. [PMID: 33675786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lipid membrane remodeling belongs to the most fundamental processes in the body. The skin barrier lipids, which are ceramide dominant and highly rigid, must attain an unusual multilamellar nanostructure with long periodicity to restrict water loss and prevent the entry of potentially harmful environmental factors. Our data suggest that the skin acid mantle, apart from regulating enzyme activities and keeping away pathogens, may also be a prerequisite for the multilamellar assembly of the skin barrier lipids. Atomic force microscopy on monolayers composed of synthetic or human stratum corneum lipids showed multilayer formation (approximately 10-nm step height) in an acidic but not in a neutral environment. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and permeability studies showed markedly altered lipid nanostructure and increased water loss at neutral pH compared with that at acidic pH. These findings are consistent with the data on the altered organization of skin lipids and increased transepidermal water loss under conditions such as inadequate skin acidification, for example, in neonates, the elderly, and patients with atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nováčková
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Irene Sagrafena
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Pullmannová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | | | - Anupma Dwivedi
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Anisha Mazumder
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Růžičková
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Slepička
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jarmila Zbytovská
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Vávrová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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21
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Engberg O, Bochicchio A, Brandner AF, Gupta A, Dey S, Böckmann RA, Maiti S, Huster D. Serotonin Alters the Phase Equilibrium of a Ternary Mixture of Phospholipids and Cholesterol. Front Physiol 2020; 11:578868. [PMID: 33192582 PMCID: PMC7645218 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.578868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsaturated and saturated phospholipids tend to laterally segregate, especially in the presence of cholesterol. Small molecules such as neurotransmitters, toxins, drugs etc. possibly modulate this lateral segregation. The small aromatic neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been found to bind to membranes. We studied the lipid structure and packing of a ternary membrane mixture consisting of palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine, palmitoyl-sphingomyelin, and cholesterol at a molar ratio of 4/4/2 in the absence and in the presence of 5-HT, using a combination of solid-state 2H NMR, atomic force microscopy, and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Both NMR and MD report formation of a liquid ordered (L o ) and a liquid disordered (L d ) phase coexistence with small domains. Lipid exchange between the domains was fast such that single component 2H NMR spectra are detected over a wide temperature range. A drastic restructuring of the domains was induced when 5-HT is added to the membranes at a 9 mol% concentration relative to the lipids. 2H NMR spectra of all components of the mixture showed two prominent contributions indicative of molecules of the same kind residing both in the disordered and the ordered phase. Compared to the data in the absence of 5-HT, the lipid chain order in the disordered phase was further decreased in the presence of 5-HT. Likewise, addition of serotonin increased lipid chain order within the ordered phase. These characteristic lipid chain order changes were confirmed by MD simulations. The 5-HT-induced larger difference in lipid chain order results in more pronounced differences in the hydrophobic thickness of the individual membrane domains. The correspondingly enlarged hydrophobic mismatch between ordered and disordered phases is assumed to increase the line tension at the domain boundary, which drives the system into formation of larger size domains. These results not only demonstrate that small membrane binding molecules such as neurotransmitters have a profound impact on essential membrane properties. It also suggests a mechanism by which the interaction of small molecules with membranes can influence the function of membrane proteins and non-cognate receptors. Altered membrane properties may modify lateral sorting of membrane protein, membrane protein conformation, and thus influence their function as suspected for neurotransmitters, local anesthetics, and other small drug molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Engberg
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Bochicchio
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Astrid F. Brandner
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ankur Gupta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Simli Dey
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Rainer A. Böckmann
- Computational Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sudipta Maiti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Daniel Huster
- Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
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22
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Beddoes C, Gooris GS, Foglia F, Ahmadi D, Barlow DJ, Lawrence MJ, Demé B, Bouwstra JA. Arrangement of Ceramides in the Skin: Sphingosine Chains Localize at a Single Position in Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix Models. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:10270-10278. [PMID: 32816488 PMCID: PMC7498151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the structure of the stratum corneum (SC) is essential to understand the skin barrier process. The long periodicity phase (LPP) is a unique trilayer lamellar structure located in the SC. Adjustments in the composition of the lipid matrix, as in many skin abnormalities, can have severe effects on the lipid organization and barrier function. Although the location of individual lipid subclasses has been identified, the lipid conformation at these locations remains uncertain. Contrast variation experiments via small-angle neutron diffraction were used to investigate the conformation of ceramide (CER) N-(tetracosanoyl)-sphingosine (NS) within both simplistic and porcine mimicking LPP models. To identify the lipid conformation of the twin chain CER NS, the chains were individually deuterated, and their scattering length profiles were calculated to identify their locations in the LPP unit cell. In the repeating trilayer unit of the LPP, the acyl chain of CER NS was located in the central and outer layers, while the sphingosine chain was located exclusively in the middle of the outer layers. Thus, for the CER NS with the acyl chain in the central layer, this demonstrates an extended conformation. Electron density distribution profiles identified that the lipid structure remains consistent regardless of the lipid's lateral packing phase, this may be partially due to the anchoring of the extended CER NS. The presented results provide a more detailed insight on the internal arrangement of the LPP lipids and how they are expected to be arranged in healthy skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte
M. Beddoes
- Division
of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Gert S. Gooris
- Division
of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Fabrizia Foglia
- Chemistry
Department, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Delaram Ahmadi
- Pharmaceutical
Science Division, King’s College
London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Barlow
- Pharmaceutical
Science Division, King’s College
London, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
| | - M. Jayne Lawrence
- Division
of Pharmacy and Optometry, Manchester University, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Demé
- Institute
Laue-Langevin, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Joke A. Bouwstra
- Division
of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, University of Leiden, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
- . Tel: 00 31 71 527 4208. Fax: 00 31 71 527 4565
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