Changes in nano-mechanical properties of human epidermal cornified cells in children with atopic dermatitis

Background:  Impaired skin barrier is an important etiological factor in atopic dermatitis (AD). The structural protein filaggrin (FLG) plays a major role in maintenance of the competent skin barrier and its deficiency is associated with enhanced susceptibility to mechanical injury. Here we examined...

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Published in:Wellcome open research Vol. 5; p. 97
Main Authors: Haftek, Marek, McAleer, Maeve A, Jakasa, Ivone, McLean, WH Irwin, Kezic, Sanja, Irvine, Alan D.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London Wellcome Trust Limited 2020
F1000 Research Limited
Wellcome
Subjects:
Dermatitis
Eczema
Humidity
Keratin
Lipids
Mechanical properties
Microscopy
Mutation
Peer review
Permeability
Skin
Skin diseases
Germany
ISSN:2398-502X, 2398-502X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background:  Impaired skin barrier is an important etiological factor in atopic dermatitis (AD). The structural protein filaggrin (FLG) plays a major role in maintenance of the competent skin barrier and its deficiency is associated with enhanced susceptibility to mechanical injury. Here we examined biomechanical characteristics of the corneocytes in children with AD and healthy controls. Methods:  We recruited 20 children with AD and 7 healthy children. They were genotyped for filaggrin gene ( FLG ) loss-of-function mutations. Stratum corneum was collected from clinically unaffected skin by adhesive tapes. Cell stiffness (apparent elastic modulus, Ea) was determined by atomic force microscopy and filaggrin degradation products (NMF) by liquid chromatography. Skin barrier function was assessed through trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and disease severity by the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) tool. Results:  Corneocytes collected from AD patients showed a decreased elastic modulus which was strongly correlated with NMF and TEWL, but not with SCORAD. As compared with healthy controls, AD patients had reduced TEWL and NMF levels regardless of FLG mutations. NMF was strongly correlated with TEWL. Conclusion:  Our findings demonstrate that AD patients have decreased corneocyte stiffness which correlates with reduced levels of filaggrin degradation products, NMF and skin barrier function. Altered mechanical properties of the corneocytes likely contribute to the loss of mechanical integrity of the SC and to reduced skin barrier function in AD.
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No competing interests were disclosed.
ISSN:2398-502X
2398-502X
DOI:10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15729.2