Infant Skin Barrier, Structure, and Enzymatic Activity Differ from Those of Adult in an East Asian Cohort

Qiwei Liu, Yanhui Zhang, Simon G Danby, Michael J Cork, Georgios N Stamatas, Qiwei Liu, Yanhui Zhang, Simon G Danby, Michael J Cork, Georgios N Stamatas

Abstract

Skin physiology is dynamically changing over the first years of postnatal life; however, ethnic variations are still unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize infant skin barrier function, epidermal structure, and desquamation-related enzymatic activity as compared to that of adult skin in an East Asian population. The skin properties of 52 infants (3-24 months) and 27 adults (20-40 years) were assessed by noninvasive methods at the dorsal forearm and upper inner arm. Transepidermal water loss and skin surface conductance values were higher and more dispersed for infants compared to adults. Infant skin surface pH was slightly lower than adult on the dorsal forearm. The infant SC and viable epidermis were thinner compared to adults with differences that were site-specific. Although the chymotrypsin-like activity for infant skin was comparable to adult level, the caseinolytic specific activity was significantly higher for the infant cohort. These observations indicate a differently controlled pattern of corneocyte desquamation in infants. In conclusion, structural and functional differences exist between infant and adult skin in the East Asian population pointing to dynamic maturation of the epidermal barrier early in life.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Infant skin barrier properties are different compared to those of adult skin in an East Asian population. Transepidermal water loss rates were significantly higher for infants compared to adults on (a) the upper inner arm site and (b) the dorsal forearm site. Skin conductance was significantly higher for infants compared to adults on (c) the upper inner arm site (p∗ indicates p < 0.050.
Figure 2
Figure 2
In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed structural differences between adult and infant skin beneath the skin surface. Representative images are shown acquired on the thigh area and at different depths representing different epidermal layers. The images at 5 μm show the layer where the first granular cells appear, immediately below the brightly scattering SC. Infant skin appeared to possess denser microrelief lines close to the skin surface (images at 5 and 10 μm) and denser and more uniform dermal papillae (observed at depths 45 and 85 μm) compared to adult skin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The stratum corneum (SC) and suprapapillary epidermis (SPE) were significantly thinner in infant skin compared to adult skin as measured by in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy. (a) SC thickness at the upper inner arm site; (b) SC thickness at the thigh area; (c) SPE thickness at the upper inner arm site; (d) SPE thickness at the thigh area. ∗ indicates p < 0.050.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The skin surface enzymatic activity in infants differs from that of adults. (a) The caseinolytic specific activity is higher on infant compared to adult skin. (b) The chymotrypsin-like activity shows no significant difference between infant and adult skin. ∗ indicates p < 0.050 and ns indicates p > 0.050.

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