Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the pH gradient profile across hairless mouse stratum corneum (SC) using ratiometric laser scanning confocal microscopy imaging and direct pH measurement with a flat surface electrode. Dual-emission ratiometric imaging used the fluorophore, carboxy seminaphthorhodafluor-1, which displays a pH-dependent shift in its emission spectrum. The assay developed was unsuccessful, however, because (i) the pK(a) of seminaphthorhodafluor (≃7.5) makes it insufficiently sensitive to the normal pH gradient (4-7.4) across mammalian SC, and (ii) the unexpectedly high buffering capacity of the skin precluded a meaningful calibration of the system. In the second method, pH measurements with a flat surface electrode were recorded as the hairless mouse SC was progressively tape stripped. In the superficial SC, the pH remained relatively constant (≃5.9); further removal of the barrier resulted in a steady increase in pH to ≃7. In conclusion, improved methodology is clearly required to characterize precisely the pH profile across the SC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)110-113
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 1998

Keywords

  • Barrier function
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Skin pH
  • Stratum corneum

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Dermatology
  • Cell Biology

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