Skin pharmacology : the official journal of the Skin Pharmacology Society
-
Two human skin recombinants, the epidermis reconstructed on the deepidermized dermis (RE-DED) or on fibroblast-populated collagen matrix (Living Skin Equivalent, LSE), were used to study the irritating effect of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The extent of cytotoxicity induced after a 24-hour exposure period to increasing concentrations of SLS (0-5%) was evaluated on the basis of (1) morphological perturbations, (2) changes in the expression of differentiation-specific protein markers (keratin 1, 10, 6, 16, involucrin and transglutaminase), (3) cell membrane integrity (LDH leakage) and (4) release of proinflammatory mediators (PGE2, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8). SLS induced significant changes in epidermal morphology and changes in the expression and localization of differentiation-specific protein markers when applied topically in concentrations higher than 1% on RE-DED and higher than 0.1% on LSE. ⋯ All parameters used in the present study for evaluation of toxicity can serve as useful endpoints for screening of contact skin irritancy in vitro. Compared to RE-DED, the LSE seems to be more susceptible to SLS. The differences in sensitivity between LSE and RE-DEd can be ascribed to reported differences in their stratum corneum barrier function.