Skin barrier

We use primary epidermal keratinocytes, 2D/3D cell models, ex vivo human full thickness skin and humanized mouse in vivo models to investigate hydration and skin barrier defects and whether compounds/formulations (also via topical application) can reinforce the skin barrier. Specifically, as standardized readout parameters, we evaluate the following by immunohistology/quantitative (immuno-) histomorphometry (for our techniques, please click here).

• Epidermal thickness
• Defects on skin surface
• Diffusion of fluorescent dye through the skin
• Epidermal keratinocyte differentiation
• Expression of tight, and gap junctions
• Expression of aquaporins
• Expression of lipids

Now available: Nanotexture of corneocytes by atomic force microscopy. 
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In addition, using qRT-PCR and/or in situ hybridization, we can analyse the expression of genes involved in skin barrier integrity, and assess these within specific compartments from skin tissue sections following laser capture microdissection.