Lamellar and inverse micellar structures of skin lipids: Effect of templating

TL;DR

This study uses atomistic simulations to reveal that skin lipids naturally form inverse micellar structures, with lamellar layering induced by corneocyte patterns, providing insights into skin barrier function and lipid organization.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates that the equilibrium phase of skin lipids is inverse micellar and shows how corneocyte patterning induces lamellar structures, advancing understanding of skin lipid organization.

Findings

Inverse micellar phase is the equilibrium state of skin lipids.

Lamellar layering is induced by corneocyte wall patterning.

Inverse micellar structures are consistent with in vivo observations.

Abstract

The outermost layer of skin, the stratum corneum (SC), comprises rigid corneocytes in a layered lipid matrix. Using atomistic simulations we find that the equilibrium phase of the SC lipids is inverse micellar. A model of the corneocyte is used to demonstrate that lamellar layering is induced by the patterned corneocyte wall. The inverse micellar phase is consistent with in vivo observations in the lacunar spaces and at the stratum granulosum - SC boundary region, and suggests a functional role in the lipid synthesis pathway in vivo.