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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2020 Feb 10.
Published in final edited form as: Exp Dermatol. 2002 Apr;11(2):159–187. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0625.2002.00112.x

Table 1.

Protective functions of the stratum corneum

Functions Structural basis Biochemical mechanisms
Mechanical integrity/resilience Cornified envelope, cytosolic filaments Cross-linked peptides; e.g. loricrin; keratin filaments
Xenobiote defense Lamellar bilayers Lipid solubility; P450 system (outer epidermis)
Antimicrobial defense Lamellar bilayers; extracellular matrix Acidic pH; free fatty acids; antimicrobial peptides
Antioxidant defense Corneocytes and extracellular matrix Kerations; sebaceous gland-derived vitamin E and other antioxidants
Cytokine signaling Corneocyte cytosol Storage & release of pro-IL-1α/β; serine proteases
Permeability barrier Lamellar bilayers Hydrophobic lipids
Hydration Lamellar bilayers; corneocyte cytosolic matrix Sebaceous gland-derived glycerol; filaggrin breakdown products (NMFs)
Waterproofing/repellency Lamellar bilayers Keratinocyte and sebum-derived lipids
Cohesion/desquamation Corneodesmosomes Acidic pH serine proteases
UV protection Corneocyte cytosol Structural proteins; tUCA