Skip to main content

Utilisation of Infrared Densitometry in Stratum Corneum Research

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Non Invasive Diagnostic Techniques in Clinical Dermatology

Abstract

Tape stripping is established as a simple technique for sampling of the stratum corneum (SC) in dermatological and skin care research. It is used in a broad range of applications, e.g. to examine the changes in the biology and function of the SC in a variety of physiological and pathological skin conditions or to follow the penetration and effects of topically applied compounds. However, due to several reasons (pressure, type of tapes, skin condition, body site, ethnicity, etc.) the amount of SC removed is not constant for each individual tape stripping. Several methods of measuring of SC protein levels have been described in the literature that range from gravimetric measurements to colorimetric methods following SC protein extraction or pseudo-absorption analysis directly on the tape strippings. However, all methodologies have their own inherent problems. In this paper we briefly review the most frequently used techniques for quantification of SC on tape strippings and describe in greater detail applications using infrared (IR) densitometry with a major focus on profiling of SC serine protease levels and activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

AD:

Atopic dermatitis

BCA:

Bicinchoninic acid

BGG:

Bovine gamma globulin

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

DNP:

Dinitrophenyl

IR:

Infrared

KLK:

Kallikrein

LEKTI:

Lympho-epithelial Kazal-type serine protease inhibitor

LLOQ:

Lower limit of quantification

NMF:

Natural moisturising factor

PCA:

2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid

SC:

Sratum corneum

TEWL:

Transepidermal water loss

UCA:

Urocanic acid

uPA:

Urokinase

References

  1. Rawlings AV, Watkinson A, Rogers J, Mayo A, Hope J, Scott IR (1994) Abnormalities in stratum corneum structure, lipid composition, and desmosome degradation in soap-induced winter xerosis. J Soc Cosmet Chem 45:203–220

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Simon M, Bernard D, Minondo A-M, Camus C, Fiat F, Corcuff P et al (2001) Persistence of both peripheral and non-peripheral corneodesmosomes in the upper stratum corneum of winter xerosis skin versus only peripheral in normal skin. J Invest Dermatol 116(1):23–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Rawlings AV (2003) Trends in stratum corneum research and the management of dry skin conditions. Int J Cosmet Sci 25(1–2):63–95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Harding CR, Watkinson A, Rawlings AV, Scott IR (2000) Dry skin, moisturization and corneodesmolysis. Int J Cosmet Sci 22(1):21–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Declercq L, Muizzuddin N, Hellemans L, Van Overloop L, Sparacio R, Marenus K et al (2002) Adaptation response in human skin barrier to a hot and dry environment. J Invest Dermatol 119(3):716

    Google Scholar 

  6. Voegeli R, Rawlings AV, Doppler S, Heiland J, Schreier T (2007) Profiling of serine protease activities in human stratum corneum and detection of a stratum corneum tryptase-like enzyme. Int J Cosmet Sci 29(3):191–200

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Dreher F, Arens A, Hostynek JJ, Mudumba S, Ademola J, Maibach HI (1998) Colorimetric method for quantifying human stratum corneum removed by adhesive-tape stripping. Acta Derm Venereol 78(3):186–189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Dreher F, Modjtahedi BS, Modjtahedi SP, Maibach HI (2005) Quantification of stratum corneum removal by adhesive tape stripping by total protein assay in 96-well microplates. Skin Res Technol 11(2):97–101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Weigmann HJ, Lademann J, Schanzer S, Lindemann U, von Pelchrzim R, Schaefer H et al (2001) Correlation of the local distribution of topically applied substances inside the stratum corneum determined by tape-stripping to differences in bioavailability. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 14(Suppl 1):98–102

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Weigmann H, Lademann J, Meffert H, Schaefer H, Sterry W (1999) Determination of the horny layer profile by tape stripping in combination with optical spectroscopy in the visible range as a prerequisite to quantify percutaneous absorption. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 12(1–2):34–45

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Jacobi U, Kaiser M, Richter H, Audring H, Sterry W, Lademann J (2005) The number of stratum corneum cell layers correlates with the pseudo-absorption of the corneocytes. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 18(4):175–179

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lademann J, Ilgevicius A, Zurbau O, Liess HD, Schanzer S, Weigmann HJ et al (2006) Penetration studies of topically applied substances: optical determination of the amount of stratum corneum removed by tape stripping. J Biomed Opt 11(5):054026

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lindemann U, Weigmann HJ, Schaefer H, Sterry W, Lademann J (2003) Evaluation of the pseudo-absorption method to quantify human stratum corneum removed by tape stripping using protein absorption. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 16(4):228–236

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Alikhan A, Maibach H (2010) Biology of stratum corneum: tape stripping and protein quantification. In: Farage MA, Miller KW, Maibach H (eds) Textbook of aging skin. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bornkessel A, Flach M, Arens-Corell M, Elsner P, Fluhr JW (2005) Functional assessment of a washing emulsion for sensitive skin: mild impairment of stratum corneum hydration, pH, barrier function, lipid content, integrity and cohesion in a controlled washing test. Skin Res Technol 11(1):53–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Voegeli R, Heiland J, Doppler S, Rawlings AV, Schreier T (2007) Efficient and simple quantification of stratum corneum proteins on tape strippings by infrared densitometry. Skin Res Technol 13(3):242–251

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Fluhr JW, Kao J, Jain M, Ahn SK, Feingold KR, Elias PM (2001) Generation of free fatty acids from phospholipids regulates stratum corneum acidification and integrity. J Invest Dermatol 117(1):44–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hahn T, Hansen S, Neumann D, Kostka KH, Lehr CM, Muys L et al (2010) Infrared densitometry: a fast and non-destructive method for exact stratum corneum depth calculation for in vitro tape-stripping. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 23(4):183–192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Melero A, Hahn T, Schaefer UF, Schneider M (2011) In vitro human skin segmentation and drug concentration-skin depth profiles. Methods Mol Biol 763:33–50

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Boncheva M, de Sterke J, Caspers PJ, Puppels GJ (2009) Depth profiling of stratum corneum hydration in vivo: a comparison between conductance and confocal Raman spectroscopic measurements. Exp Dermatol 18(10):870–876

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Klang V, Schwarz JC, Hartl A, Valenta C (2011) Facilitating in vitro tape stripping: application of infrared densitometry for quantification of porcine stratum corneum proteins. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 24(5):256–268

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Carrer DC, Vermehren C, Bagatolli LA (2008) Pig skin structure and transdermal delivery of liposomes: a two photon microscopy study. J Control Release 132(1):12–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Klang V, Schwarz JC, Lenobel B, Nadj M, Aubock J, Wolzt M et al (2012) In vitro vs. in vivo tape stripping: Validation of the porcine ear model and penetration assessment of novel sucrose stearate emulsions. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 80(3):604–614

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Melero A, Garrigues TM, Alos M, Kostka KH, Lehr CM, Schaefer UF (2009) Nortriptyline for smoking cessation: release and human skin diffusion from patches. Int J Pharm 378(1–2):101–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lademann J, Weigmann H-J, Schanzer S, Meinke M, Sterry W, Patzelt A (2010) Analysis of the penetration of topically applied substances into the human skin. SÖFW 136(11):2–8

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kezic S, Kammeyer A, Calkoen F, Fluhr JW, Bos JD (2009) Natural moisturizing factor components in the stratum corneum as biomarkers of filaggrin genotype: evaluation of minimally invasive methods. Br J Dermatol 161(5):1098–1104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Angelova-Fischer I, Mannheimer AC, Hinder A, Ruether A, Franke A, Neubert RH et al (2011) Distinct barrier integrity phenotypes in filaggrin-related atopic eczema following sequential tape stripping and lipid profiling. Exp Dermatol 20(4):351–356

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Date A, Shimakura T, Sasaki M, Yamaguchi M (2012) An analytical technique for measuring protein carbonyl in the stratum corneum using surface Plasmon resonance. Int J Cosmet Sci 34(1):81–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Voegeli R, Rawlings AV, Doppler S, Schreier T (2008) Increased basal transepidermal water loss leads to elevation of some but not all stratum corneum serine proteases. Int J Cosmet Sci 30(6):435–442

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ekholm IE, Brattsand M, Egelrud T (2000) Stratum corneum tryptic enzyme in normal epidermis: a missing link in the desquamation process? J Invest Dermatol 114(1):56–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Brattsand M, Stefansson K, Lundh C, Haasum Y, Egelrud T (2005) A proteolytic cascade of kallikreins in the stratum corneum. J Invest Dermatol 124(1):198–203

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Chang-Yi C, Takahashi M, Tezuka T (1997) 30-kDa trypsin-like proteases in the plantar stratum corneum. J Dermatol 24(8):504–509

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Hadgraft J, Lane ME (2009) Transepidermal water loss and skin site: a hypothesis. Int J Pharm 373(1–2):1–3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Machado M, Hadgraft J, Lane ME (2010) Assessment of the variation of skin barrier function with anatomic site, age, gender and ethnicity. Int J Cosmet Sci 32:397–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Proksch E (2008) Protection against dryness of facial skin: a rational approach. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 22(1):3–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Komatsu N, Saijoh K, Kuk C, Liu AC, Khan S, Shirasaki F et al (2007) Human tissue kallikrein expression in the stratum corneum and serum of atopic dermatitis patients. Exp Dermatol 16(6):513–519

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Voegeli R, Rawlings AV, Breternitz M, Doppler S, Schreier T, Fluhr JW (2009) Increased stratum corneum serine protease activity in acute eczematous atopic skin. Br J Dermatol 161:70–77

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Redoules D, Tarrouxa R, Assalita MF, Perié JJ (1999) Characterisation and assay of five enzymatic activities in the stratum corneum using tape-strippings. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 12(4):182–192

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Tarroux R, Assalit MF, Licu D, Périé JJ, Redoulès D (2002) Variability of enzyme markers during clinical regression of atopic dermatitis. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 15:55–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Voegeli R, Doppler S, Joller P, Breternitz M, Fluhr JW, Rawlings AV (2011) Increased mass levels of certain serine proteases in the stratum corneum in acute eczematous atopic skin. Int J Cosmet Sci 33(6):560–565

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kalia YN, Albertia I, Naika A, Guya RH (2001) Assessment of topical bioavailability in vivo: the importance of stratum corneum thickness. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 14(Suppl 1):82–86

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Kishibe M, Bando Y, Terayama R, Namikawa K, Takahashi H, Hashimoto Y et al (2007) Kallikrein 8 is involved in skin desquamation in cooperation with other kallikreins. J Biol Chem 282(8):5834–5841

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Stefansson K, Brattsand M, Ny A, Glas B, Egelrud T (2006) Kallikrein-related peptidase 14 may be a major contributor to trypsin-like proteolytic activity in human stratum corneum. Biol Chem 387(6):761–768

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Debela M, Beaufort N, Magdolen V, Schechter NM, Craik CS, Schmitt M et al (2008) Structures and specificity of the human kallikrein-related peptidases KLK 4, 5, 6, and 7. Biol Chem 389(6):623

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Yoon H, Blaber SI, Evans DM, Trim J, Juliano MA, Scarisbrick I et al (2008) Activation profiles of human kallikrein-related peptidases by proteases of the thrombostasis axis. Protein Sci 17:1998–2007

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Roedl D, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Ring J, Behrendt H, Braun-Falco M (2009) Serine protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial kazal type-related inhibitor tends to be decreased in atopic dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 23(11):1263–1266

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Vasilopoulos Y, Cork MJ, Murphy R, Williams HC, Robinson DA, Duff GW et al (2004) Genetic association between an AACC insertion in the 3’UTR of the stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme gene and atopic dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol 123(1):62–66

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Descargues P, Deraison C, Prost C, Fraitag S, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, D’Alessio M et al (2006) Corneodesmosomal cadherins are preferential targets of stratum corneum trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like hyperactivity in netherton syndrome. J Invest Dermatol 126(7):1622–1632

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Kikuchi K, Kobayashi H, O’goshi K-I, Tagami H (2006) Impairment of skin barrier function is not inherent in atopic dermatitis patients: a prospective study conducted in newborns. Pediatr Dermatol 23(2):109–113

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rainer Voegeli .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Voegeli, R., Rawlings, A.V. (2014). Utilisation of Infrared Densitometry in Stratum Corneum Research. In: Berardesca, E., Maibach, H., Wilhelm, KP. (eds) Non Invasive Diagnostic Techniques in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32109-2_28

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32109-2_28

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-32108-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-32109-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics