Molecular Dynamics Investigation into CerENP's Effect on the Lipid Matrix of Stratum Corneum

The extracellular lipid matrix in the stratum corneum (SC) plays a critical role in skin barrier functionality, comprising three primary components: ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. The diverse ceramides, differentiated by molecular structures such as hydroxylations and varying chain lengths, are essential for the lipid matrix’s structural integrity. Recently, a new subclass of ceramide, 1-O-acylceramide NP (CerENP), has been identified; however, its precise role in the lipid matrix of the SC is still elusive. Herein, we investigate the role of CerENP on the structure and permeability of the SC using molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings indicate that CerENP contributes to a compact lipid matrix in the lateral dimension of our SC model with a repeat distance of about 13 nm. Additionally, ethanol permeability assessments show that CerENP effectively reduces molecular penetration through the lipid matrix. This study provides an insight into the role of a new subclass of ceramide in the SC, enhancing our understanding of skin structure and the mechanisms behind barrier dysfunction in skin diseases.