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Percutaneous transport in relation to stratum corneum structure and lipid composition.

Despite the acknowledged importance of the stratum corneum in limiting water loss and in controlling skin permeability, the basis for these functions remains unknown. To pinpoint those factor(s) of importance for cutaneous barrier function, we correlated the thickness, number of cell layers, and lipid composition of leg vs. abdominal stratum corneum samples with penetration of 3H-water and 14C-salicylic acid across the same tissue sample. Viable upper epidermal sheets were obtained by incubating fresh autopsy or amputation full-thickness skin with staphylococcal exfoliatin. Each sheet was divided into 3 portions. The first piece was mounted in a diffusion cell for penetration studies. The second stratum corneum sample was frozen sectioned, stained with the fluorochrome, ANS, and measured with a micrometer eyepiece. The 3rd piece was pooled with other leg (n = 6) and abdomen (n = 15) specimens for determination of lipid weight percent. In all cases, leg stratum corneum was congruent to 2 times more permeable than abdominal stratum corneum to water and slightly more permeable to salicylic acid, as well. Penetration of both substances correlated inversely with lipid weight % of leg (mean = 3.0%) vs. abdomen (mean = 6.8%), but neither the penetration of water nor of salicylic acid was influenced by the number of cell layers or the thickness of the stratum corneum. We conclude that: differences in the thickness and the number of cell layers in the stratum corneum are insufficient to account for differences in percutaneous transport across leg and abdomen, and that total lipid concentration may be the critical factor governing skin permeability.

Abdomen↗

The dependence of detergent-induced cell dissociation in non-palmo-plantar stratum corneum on endogenous proteolysis.

We have recently shown that cell cohesion in plantar stratum corneum is mediated to a significant extent by protein structures, and that endogenous proteolysis plays an important role in desquamation in this tissue. This paper is a report of our investigations into whether similar mechanisms for cell cohesion and desquamation can be found in non-palmo-plantar stratum corneum. Biopsies of non-palmo-plantar human skin were incubated at 37 degrees C, pH 8, in a buffer with and without additions of detergents (a mixture of N,N-dimethyldodecylamine oxide and sodium dodecyl sulphate), ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), and the proteinase inhibitor aprotinin. Released cells were examined by phase contrast microscopy and counted. The incubated biopsies were examined by light microscopy. As has been previously shown by others, we found that in the presence of detergents there was a dissociation of stratum corneum cells. This dissociation was stimulated by EDTA and inhibited by aprotinin. After 36 h of incubation the entire stratum corneum and, on some parts of the biopsies, the stratum granulosum had dissociated. There was no evidence of cell dissociation in the spinous or basal epidermal layers. We conclude that the detergent-induced cell dissociation in non-palmo-plantar human stratum corneum is dependent on the action of proteinases present in the tissue on protein structures. These structures may be of significant importance for non-palmo-plantar stratum corneum cell cohesion.

Aprotinin↗

Effect of non-enzymatic glycosylation and heating on browning of human stratum corneum and nail.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of non-enzymatic glycosylation and subsequent heating on the browning of the plantar stratum corneum and the finger-nail, and to elucidate the pathogenesis of the yellow skin and the yellow nail seen in diabetic subjects. We incubated stratum corneum and nail from non-diabetics in 0 (control), 10 (only nail), 20 (only nail), 100 and 250 mM glucose buffer at 37 degrees C for 5 days. These glycosylated samples were dialysed against distilled water for 96 h. Distilled water was changed every 24 h. Then samples were dried for 24 h. The extent of non-enzymatic glycosylation was measured by furosine content. Each 5 mg of sample was hydrolysed by 6 N HCl and processed for measurement of furosine by high-performance liquid chromatography. The rest of each sample was stored at 37, 42 (only nail), 47 and 52 degrees C for 14 days. Browning of the stratum corneum was assessed macroscopically, and that of the nail by spectrophotometry. Based on their spectrophotometric reflectances. Munsell's scores (H = hue score, V = lightness score, C = saturation score) and (H + C)/V were calculated for objective evaluation of browning. Incubation of the stratum corneum and nail with glucose buffer increased their non-enzymatic glycosylation (furosine) dose dependently. Macroscopically, the browning of the stratum corneum was enhanced in proportion to the glucose concentration and storage temperature. However, samples incubated in 10 and 20 mM glucose and stored at 42 degrees C did not show visible browning. Munsell's score of the nail samples treated by glycosylation and heating showed increased hue and saturation but reduced lightness. (H + C)/V values of these nail samples were significantly higher than those of the control. We could not detect any fluorescence with Wood light in the browned samples. The present in vitro study demonstrated that the browning of the stratum corneum and the nail depended on the extent of both non-enzymatic glycosylation and storage temperature. We suggested a hypothesis that the non-enzymatic glycosylation and the storage temperature of the stratum corneum and the nail might be a contributory factor in the development of yellow skin and yellow nail in diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Stratum corneum lipids in skin xerosis.

Lipids of the stratum corneum are implicated in cohesion and desquamation of the stratum corneum as well as in the maintenance of normal barrier function. Evidence linking the intercellular lipids to such processes has mainly been derived from studies on acquired or inherited diseases of lipid metabolism manifesting abnormalities in the structure and the function of the stratum corneum. We have studied the composition of stratum corneum lipids in clinically normal individuals with typical xerosis or 'winter dry skin' in order to establish if the lipid composition differs from that of normal individuals, showing no signs of xerosis. The amount of total stratum corneum lipids was not related to xerosis (22.0 +/- 1.8 micrograms/cm2 for normal skin, and 26.3 +/- 2.9 micrograms/cm2 for severe xerosis), and no correlation was evident between polar lipids, cholesterol sulfate (2.8 +/- 0.5% for normal skin, and 1.6 +/- 0.2% for severe xerosis), or ceramides types I-VI, and dry skin. It therefore appears that dramatic changes in stratum corneum lipids are not detectable in normal 'winter dry' skin. However, a decreased proportion of neutral lipids (sterol esters, triglycerides), coupled to increased amounts of free fatty acids, were found associated to the severity of dry skin. Apart from a decline in the sebaceous function and in esterases activity, winter dry skin does not appear to be associated to dramatic changes in polar stratum corneum lipids.

Adult↗

Immunolocalization of CD44 and the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family in the stratum intermedium and papillary layer of the mouse enamel organ.

We studied the immunohistochemical localization of CD44 and the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family of actin binding proteins in mouse enamel organ, using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to clarify their role in cytoskeletal organization. At the differentiation stage of ameloblasts, immunoreactivity to CD44 was detected on the plasma membrane of the inner enamel epithelium, the stellate reticulum, the stratum intermedium, and the external enamel epithelium. In accordance with the differentiation of preameloblasts into secretory ameloblasts, immunoreactivity increased in the stratum intermedium cells. At the maturation stage, intense immunoreactivity was observed on the papillary layer cells. For the ERM family, the stratum intermedium and the papillary layer cells were stained with anti-ezrin and -radixin monoclonal antibodies but not with the anti-moesin antibody. Electron microscopic observations revealed that CD44, ezrin, and radixin were localized in the region at which preameloblasts came into contact with the stratum intermedium at the differentiation stage. At the secretory and maturation stages, they were concentrated in the microvilli of the stratum intermedium and the papillary layer cells. These findings suggest that the CD44-ezrin-radixin-actin filament system is involved in cell-cell interaction between preameloblasts and the stratum intermedium, and in the cytoskeletal organization of the cells in the stratum intermedium and the papillary layer.

Ameloblasts↗

Kallikrein-related peptidase 14 may be a major contributor to trypsin-like proteolytic activity in human stratum corneum.

We have previously presented evidence that two human kallikrein-related peptidases, KLK5 (hK5, stratum corneum tryptic enzyme, SCTE) and KLK7 (hK7, stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme, SCCE), which are abundant in the stratum corneum, may be involved in desquamation. Since we had noted that not all trypsin-like activity in the plantar stratum corneum could be ascribed to KLK5, we set out to identify other skin proteases with similar primary substrate specificity. Here we describe purification of a protease identified as KLK14 from plantar stratum corneum, and show that this enzyme may be responsible for as much as 50% of the total trypsin-like activity in this tissue, measured as activity towards a chromogenic substrate cleaved by a wide variety of enzymes with trypsin-like specificity. This was in spite of very low levels of KLK14 protein compared to KLK5 and KLK7. KLK14 could be detected by immunoblotting in normal superficial stratum corneum of all individuals examined. The majority of KLK14 in the plantar stratum corneum is present in its catalytically active form. KLK14 could be immunohistochemically detected in sweat ducts, preferentially in the intraepidermal parts (the acrosyringium), and in sweat glands. The role played by this very efficient protease under normal and disease conditions in the skin remains to be elucidated.

Epidermis↗

Expression of stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme in reconstructed human epidermis and its suppression by retinoic acid.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme (SCCE) in human epidermis reconstructed in vitro on dead de-epidermized dermis and the effect of retinoic acid (RA) on its expression. SCCE is a recently discovered serine proteinase which has been purified from human stratum corneum, and evidence has been presented that it may play a role in stratum corneum turnover, especially in desquamation. The SCCE-specific monoclonal antibody TE-9B showed positive immunofluorescence staining of high suprabasal keratinocytes, mainly in the stratum granulosum, in normal non-palmo-plantar human epidermis as well as in reconstructed epidermis in the absence of RA. This staining was also seen in reconstructed epidermis cultured in the presence of 10(-8) M RA, a concentration at which the reconstructed epidermis still formed an orthokeratotic stratum corneum. At 10(-7) M RA, however, not only the formation of the stratum corneum but also SCCE expression was suppressed. These results support the hypothesis that SCCE expression is related to and may be part of the epidermis-specific differentiation program, where the enzyme may be involved in the homeostasis of the stratum corneum, possibly by degrading the intercorneocyte cohesive structures.

Cells, Cultured↗

[Penetration kinetics of xanthotoxin across human skin and stratum corneum].

AIM: To investigate the penetration kinetics of xanthotoxin in human skin and stratum corneum. METHODS: The penetration experiments were accomplished by the deposit of ethanolic xanthotoxin solution onto human skin and stratum corneum mounted on Franz cells. The diffused xanthotoxin in the receptor solution (1.4% human serum albumin) and the retained amount in the skin and in the stratum corneum after 24 h exposure were quantified by using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Xanthotoxin flux was increased with the concentration deposited onto the human skin, and when the concentration is above 2.5 mg x mL(-1), there is no influence on the xanthotoxin flux. Similar results were obtained from the stratum corneum. And the peak time for the flux in the stratum corneum was preceded about 6 h earlier than that of the whole human skin. The retained xanthotoxin amount after 24 h exposure in the skin and in the stratum corneum increased according to the concentration deposited and has the tendency to saturate. The lag time of ethanolic xanthotoxin solution in the whole human skin is significantly higher than that in the stratum corneum (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The characteristics of penetration kinetics of xanthotoxin will provide the information for concentration choice of topical formulation and give a reference for ultra violet A (UVA) irradiation time confirmation.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Stratum lacunosum-moleculare interneurons of hippocampal CA1 region. I. Intracellular response characteristics, synaptic responses, and morphology.

Stable intracellular recordings were obtained from nonpyramidal cells (interneurons) in stratum lacunosum-moleculare (L-M) of the CA1 region of guinea pig hippocampal slices. The intracellular response characteristics of these interneurons were distinctly different from responses of pyramidal cells and of other interneurons (basket cells and oriens-alveus interneurons). L-M interneurons had a high resting membrane potential (-58 mV), a high input resistance (64 M omega), and a large amplitude (60 mV), relatively long duration (2 msec) action potential. A large afterhyperpolarization (11 mV, 34 msec) followed a single action potential. Most L-M interneurons did not display any spontaneous firing. Lucifer yellow (LY)-filled L-M interneurons showed nonpyramidal morphology. Cells were generally fusiform or multipolar, with aspinous, beaded dendritic processes ramifying in stratum lacunosum-moleculare, radiatum, and (sometimes) oriens. The varicose axon originated from a primary dendrite, projected along stratum lacunosum-moleculare, branched profusely in stratum radiatum, and coursed toward and into stratum pyramidale and occasionally into oriens. Processes of cells with somata in the L-M region of CA1 were not restricted to the CA1 region. The dendritic and axonal processes of some L-M interneurons were seen ascending in stratum lacunosum-moleculare, crossing the hippocampal fissure, and coursing in stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs) were evoked in L-M interneurons from stimulation of major hippocampal afferents. EPSPs were most effectively elicited by stimulation of fiber pathways in transverse slices, whereas IPSPs were predominantly evoked when major pathways were stimulated in longitudinal slices. We have identified a population of interneurons with intracellular response characteristics and morphology distinctly different from previously described pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons of CA1 region. The possible role of these interneurons in hippocampal circuitry is discussed.

Animals↗

The combined use of oral and topical lipophilic antioxidants increases their levels both in sebum and stratum corneum.

The concentration of Vitamin E (vit E) and ubiquinone (CoQ10), which together with squalene (SQ), play a key role against external oxidative insult, has been shown to decrease significantly during ageing. The aim of the present study is to inquire the effect of the combined use of topical bio-cosmetics containing natural active principles (including sebum-like lipid fractions, sebum and epidermal lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants), and oral antioxidant supplements on the antioxidant content of sebum and stratum corneum. We therefore treated the face and the back of 50 female volunteers aged 21-40, daily for two months, with a base cream containing 0.05% ubiquinone, 0.1% vit E, and 1% squalene. In addition 50 mg of CoQ10 + 50 mg of d-RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate + 50 microg of selenium were administered orally to half of the volunteers (Group A). Group B was represented by 25 volunteers who were treated only topically. Every 15 days during treatment the levels of CoQ10, vit E and SQ were verified in sebum, stratum corneum, and plasma. The daily topical application of the cream led to a significant increase, that peaked after 60 days, of the levels of CoQ10, d-RRR-alpha-tocopherol and SQ in the sebum (Group B), without significantly affecting the stratum corneum or plasma concentrations of the redox couple CoQ10H2/CoQ10 and vit E. The concomitant oral admistration of antioxidants produced in Group A a significant increase of the levels of CoQ10H2/CoQ10 and vit E both in plasma and stratum corneum after 15 and 30 days treatment respectively, compared to Group B. However the sebum levels of lipophilic antioxidants and SQ did not show a significant increase. After the treatments, the levels of CoQ10H2/CoQ10, vit E and SQ went back to basal levels within 6-8 days in sebum, 12-16 days in the stratum corneum, and 3-6 days in plasma. Therefore topical application of the antioxidants was able to increase their level in sebum, while the concomitant oral administration also affected the levels of vit E and CoQ10 in the stratum corneum.

Administration, Oral↗

Prolonged sojourn of developing pyramidal cells in the intermediate zone of the hippocampus and their settling in the stratum pyramidale.

In radiograms of rat embryos that received a single dose of [3H]thymidine between days E16 and E20 and were killed 24 hours after the injection, the heavily labeled cells (those that ceased to multiply soon after the injection) form a horizontal layer in the intermediate zone of the hippocampus, called the inferior band. The fate of these heavily labeled cells was traced in radiograms of the dorsal hippocampus in embryos that received [3H]thymidine on day E18 and were killed at different intervals thereafter. Two hours after injection the labeled proliferative cells are located in the Ammonic neuroepithelium. The heavily labeled cells that leave the neuroepithelium and aggregate in the inferior band 1 day after the injection become progressively displaced toward the stratum pyramidale 2-3 days later, and penetrate the stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region on the 4th day. In the stratum pyramidale of the CA3 region, farther removed from the Ammonic neuroepithelium, the heavily labeled cells are still sojourning in the intermediate zone 4 days after labeling. Observations in methacrylate sections suggest that two morphogenetic features of the developing hippocampus may contribute to the long sojourn of young pyramidal cells in the intermediate zone: the way in which the stratum pyramidale forms and the way in which the alveolar channels develop. The stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region forms before that of the CA3 region, which is the reverse of the neurogenetic gradient in the production of pyramidal cells. We hypothesize that this is so because the pyramidal cells destined to settle in the CA3 region, which will be contacted by granule cells axons (the mossy fibers), have to await the formation of the granular layer on days E21-E22. Concordant with this is the observation that the hippocampal intermediate zone, which contains the sojourning young pyramidal cells, greatly enlarges between days E16 and E20, then suddenly diminishes and disappears by day E22. The other factor that may contribute to the prolonged sojourn of pyramidal cells, specifically those destined to settle in the CA1 region, is the pattern of alveolar channel development. This transient extracellular matrix begins to form several days after the onset of pyramidal cell neurogenesis, grows in a direction opposite to the settling of pyramidal cells in the stratum pyramidale, and does not reach the subicular end of Ammon's horn until day E21.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effects of ionization on the percutaneous absorption of drugs: partitioning of nicotine into organic liquids and hydrated stratum corneum.

To gain further insight into the disposition of ionizable drugs in the stratum corneum, the partitioning of nicotine as a function of pH was studied in excised, hydrated, human stratum corneum (SC) and the organic liquids n-butanol, n-octanol, isopropyl myristate, and Miglyol 812. Partitioning in n-octanol, isopropyl myristate, and Miglyol 812 was consistent with the pH-partition hypothesis, while partitioning in n-butanol agreed with agreed with a model for the partitioning of the free base and an ion pair which dissociates in the organic phase. The results in SC also suggested the partitioning of ion pairs. Binding studies indicated that neither the un-ionized nor the ionized species is bound significantly in the stratum corneum. Trichloroacetate (TCA) anion increased partitioning of ionized nicotine in n-butanol, but had no effect in stratum corneum. Delipidization of the stratum corneum decreased the partition coefficient for the free base, but had no effect on the ionized species. Thermodynamic parameters determined from van't Hoff plots were consistent with the entry of un-ionized nicotine into ordered lipids. These results suggest that the un-ionized form is found within the lipid regions of the stratum corneum, while the ionized form is located in aqueous regions.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Effect of dipolar aprotic permeability enhancers on the basal stratum corneum.

The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, and dimethyl acetamide on the basal stratum corneum of excised nude mouse skin was investigated. All of these dipolar aprotic solvents caused a swelling of the basal stratum corneum cells and a disruption of the normal keratin pattern. This behavior suggests that dipolar aprotic solvents might alter the barrier properties of the basal stratum corneum cells. To test this hypothesis, the distribution of topically applied, electron-dense divalent metal ions (Hg2+ and Ni2+) was studied in excised nude mouse skin which had been perturbed by the application of dipolar aprotic solvents, and in controls which had not been so treated. In control skin membranes, Hg2+ and Ni2+ were located almost exclusively in the intercellular space of the stratum corneum. However, with the application of a dipolar aprotic solvent, Hg2+ and Ni2+ were found in the intercellular spaces and inside the basal stratum corneum cells, where they appeared to be primarily associated with the cytoplasmic filaments. Sulfide precipitation allowed for the localization of Hg2+ and Ni2+, and subsequent chemical identification by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The spatial resolution of X-ray microanalysis studies was approximately 0.5-0.75 micron. The spatial alteration in mercury and nickel precipitate distribution, which occurs when the skin is pretreated with a dipolar aprotic solvent, is consistent with the hypothesis that the pathway of Hg2+ and Ni2+ diffusion through the basal stratum corneum has also been modified.

Acetamides↗

Adherence of Pityrosporum orbiculare to human stratum corneum cells.

This investigation demonstrates the capacity of Pityrosporum orbiculare to adhere to human stratum corneum cells in vitro; this may be an important initial step in its colonization of stratum corneum. Adherence was significantly higher when incubation for 120 min (mean 9.4 adherent yeasts) was compared to 60 min (mean 3.5 adherent yeasts, P less than 0.001), but not to 90 min (mean 8.6 adherent yeasts, P greater than 0.05). Adherence was higher at an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C (mean 10.0 adherent yeasts) as compared with 25 degrees C (mean 4.0, P less than 0.001), but not at 32 degrees C (mean 8.0, P greater than 0.1). There was no significant difference in adherence related to the anatomic area (forearm, back, and chest) from which the stratum corneum cells have been collected. No difference was seen in adherence between different Pityrosporum strains, but it increased significantly with inoculum size of P. orbiculare, being optimal at 10(7) cells ml-1. The adherence of P. orbiculare and Staphylococcus epidermidis to stratum corneum cells was not influenced by incubation of the organisms together or alone. This model opens possibilities to study the influence of: stratum corneum cells from diseased skin compared with controls; antibodies; and types of surface receptors and antimycotics on P. orbiculare adherence to stratum corneum cells.

Humans↗

Enhanced permeation and stratum corneum structural alterations in the presence of dithiothreitol.

Stratum corneum protein biochemical and biophysical structural contributions to the barrier properties of human epidermis were determined in the presence of the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT). Mannitol and sucrose permeation through human epidermis in the presence of 0 to 50 mM DTT in PBS (pH 7.4) was measured in symmetric, side-by-side diffusion cells (32 degrees C). DTT enhancement ratios, KP(DTT)/KP(PBS), ranging from 1.6 to 32, were dependent on skin donor and DTT concentrations. DTT did not alter stratum corneum uptake of mannitol or sucrose nor mannitol solubility in DTT/PBS solutions. Stratum corneum biophysical structure was ascertained by FTIR in solvent replacement experiments. DTT-induced protein conformational alterations were apparent in the emergence of an Amide I band near 1615 cm-1, which is generally associated with beta-sheet-like conformers. Therefore, DTT alters stratum corneum biophysical structure through interactions with proteins. After exposure of stratum corneum protein sheets to DTT/PBS solutions, the free thiol concentration increased from < 1 nmol SH/mg protein sheet to approx. 130 nmol/mg. The enhanced permeation which increased with increasing concentrations of DTT, was associated with diffusion mechanisms involving the cornified cells of the stratum corneum. These results indicate that corneocyte protein integrity does contribute to barrier function of the skin and influences the transport of polar solutes.

Cell Membrane↗

Avian permeability barrier function reflects mode of sequestration and organization of stratum corneum lipids: reevaluation utilizing ruthenium tetroxide staining and lipase cytochemistry.

The epidermis of avians and terrestrial mammals has evolved distinct, but related mechanisms to survive in a terrestrial environment. In both phyla, stratum corneum lipids form the basis of the cutaneous permeability barrier, but barrier function is less efficient in avians. Whereas in mammals the epidermal lamellar body (LB) secretes its contents into the intercellular spaces, in the feathered epidermis of avians, its distinctive secretory organelle, the multigranular body (MGB), does not secrete its contents into the stratum corneum intercellular spaces. Yet, neutral lipid-enriched droplets, derived from the cytosolic breakdown of MGB, ultimately are squeezed through membrane pores into the stratum corneum interstices. In this study we determined: a) using ruthenium tetroxide (RuO4) fixation, whether these droplets form membrane structures after deposition in the stratum corneum interstices; and b) the similarities and differences between avian MGB and mammalian LB, using enzyme cytochemistry as a marker for secretion, and optical diffraction computer-aided image analysis and reconstruction to compare the internal structure of MGB vs. LB. MGB were shown to possess a similar lamellar substructure to LB in RuO4-fixed specimens, exhibiting comparable dimensions on optical diffraction and computer transform analysis. Moreover, the intercellular lipids of avian stratum corneum lacked membrane-substructure, as was present in parallel samples of mammalian stratum corneum. Thus, both the absence of MGB secretion, and the failure of intercellular lipids to form membrane bilayers may explain the inherent differences in barrier function in these two taxa.

Animals↗

Comparison of long-term potentiation in the proximal versus distal stratum radiatum of hippocampal field CA1.

Recent studies indicate that long-term potentiation is accompanied by changes in the waveform of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the CA1 field of disinhibited hippocampal slices, suggesting that long-term potentiation alters the kinetics of the glutamate receptor channels that mediate excitatory synaptic responses. The present study examined the effects of stimulating and recording location within stratum radiatum on the magnitude of long-term potentiation and the associated waveform changes. Stimulation of stratum radiatum proximal to the cell body layer evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in proximal stratum radiatum that had decay phases well-fit by single exponentials; long-term potentiation reduced the decay time constant of these potentials, as reported previously. Stimulation of distal stratum radiatum evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in distal stratum radiatum that were contaminated by positive after-potentials; meaningful estimates of decay time constants for these responses could not be obtained. Long-term potentiation of distal responses tended to be smaller than that obtained proximally. Comparisons were also made between responses recorded distally and proximally for either distal or proximal stimulation. For both stimulation loci, the distally-recorded responses had positive after-potentials and the proximally-recorded responses did not. The decay time constants for proximally-recorded responses to distal stimulation decreased significantly after long-term potentiation. Proximal and distal stimulation both produced greater long-term potentiation recorded proximally than distally and the difference was significantly greater for proximal stimulation. When long-term potentiation was induced by stimulation of proximal and distal sites simultaneously, the difference between proximally- and distally-recorded long-term potentiation was significantly reduced. Paired-pulse facilitation was greater when recorded proximally but the variation in facilitation with stimulation and recording position was different from that obtained for long-term potentiation. Paired-pulse facilitation of response amplitude was slightly reduced after long-term potentiation, but the change did not depend on the stimulation-recording arrangement; facilitation of response slope was not reliably affected by long-term potentiation. These results indicate that the shape of the dendritic field excitatory postsynaptic potential is influenced by the relative position of recording electrodes in stratum radiatum; when the position is such that after-potentials are minimized, long-term potentiation produces a decrease in the decay time constant of the synaptic field potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Stratum intermedium lineage diverges from ameloblast lineage via Notch signaling.

The stratum intermedium develops as flattened cell layers on the proximal side of the ameloblast layer during tooth development. However, little information is available regarding the origin and the role. In this study, we indicate that some stratum intermedium cells originate from the inner enamel epithelium (IEE) in rat incisor organ cultures using DiI as a tracer. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies showed that the stratum intermedium cells express the Notch1 protein and Hes1 mRNAs, while the IEE and ameloblasts express the Jagged1. Further, we examined the role of Notch signaling using the dental epithelial cell line HAT-7. Recombinant Jagged1 protein enhanced the appearance of stratum intermedium cells in HAT-7 cultures and neutralization with an anti-Jagged1 antibody inhibited these effects. Additionally, overexpression of the Notch1 internal domain increased the number of stratum intermedium cells. We hypothesize that the stratum intermedium lineage differentiates from the ameloblast lineage via Notch signaling.

Ameloblasts↗