Eleidin

Eleidin is a clear intracellular protein that exists in the stratum lucidum layer of the epidermis. It is a key component in the process of skin maturation, aiding in the transformation of keratinocytes into corneocytes, which form the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin.

Function

Eleidin is primarily involved in the later stages of keratinization, the process by which keratinocytes harden and move to the surface of the skin. This protein is found in the stratum lucidum, a thin layer of the epidermis located between the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum.

The presence of eleidin is a sign of the transition of keratinocytes from the stratum granulosum to the stratum corneum. During this transition, the cells lose their nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles, and eleidin is formed. The cells then become filled with keratin and are eventually shed from the surface of the skin.

Role in Skin Health

Eleidin plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health by promoting the formation of the skin's protective barrier. This barrier helps to prevent the entry of harmful substances and pathogens, and also helps to prevent the loss of water from the skin, thus maintaining skin hydration.

In conditions where the process of keratinization is disrupted, such as in ichthyosis vulgaris, the function of eleidin may be affected, leading to skin abnormalities.

See Also

• Epidermis
• Keratinocyte
• Corneocyte
• Stratum corneum
• Stratum granulosum
• Stratum lucidum
• Ichthyosis vulgaris

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