Yonsei University · Medicine
Professor Eung Ho Choi's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying skin barrier function, with a particular emphasis on the role of stratum corneum homeostasis in health and disease. Key research directions include the pathophysiology of skin barrier impairment in conditions such as atopic dermatitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the regulatory role of skin surface pH, and the contribution of endogenous factors like glycerol, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), and lipid metabolism. The lab employs innovative animal models—such as the 'atopic march' model using flaky tail mice and HDM sensitization—to investigate how acidic microenvironments can prevent or reverse barrier dysfunction and allergic sensitization.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Although stratum corneum (SC) hydration has been primarily of concern to the cosmetic industry, it serves an important biosensor function. In murine models, not only deiminated products of filaggrin-derived amino acids ("NMF") but also endogenous glycerol from circulation into the epidermis via aquaporin 3 channel and from triglyceride turnover in sebaceous glands (SG) are important determinants. We assessed here whether endogenous glycerol could also be linked to SC hydration in humans. SG-enri
The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing rapidly, and the disease has become a serious sociomedical problem. Many skin problems, such as xerosis, pruritus, skin infections and delayed wound healing, that might be related to chronic impairment of skin barrier function decrease the quality of life in patients with DM. However, the status of the permeability and antimicrobial barrier of the skin in DM remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate skin barrier impairment i
The transdermal drug delivery (TDD) system has largely been divided into physical, biochemical and chemical methods. Recently, combinations of these methods were introduced for more effective delivery with less side effects. We performed this study to identify the effectiveness and mechanism of TDD using the physical method, 'iontophoresis', plus the chemical method, 'pretreatment with chemical enhancer'. The action sites of chemical enhancers in the stratum corneum (SC) were observed by electro
Long-standing or repeated skin barrier damage followed by atopic dermatitis (AD) is the initial step of the atopic march that eventually progresses to respiratory allergies. Maintenance of an acidic pH in the stratum corneum (SC) is an important factor for normal skin barrier function. We performed this study to determine whether an oxazolone (Ox)-induced AD murine model can develop airway inflammation by topical application and nasal inhalation of a house dust mite, Dermatofagoides pteronyssinu
There were no significant differences in TEWL, capacitance or epidermal thickness between the epidermis of the mice to which AHA or vehicle only had been applied. On electron micrographs, the normal epidermis to which AHA had been applied showed an increase in the number and secretion of LB and a decrease in the number of stratum corneum (SC) layers in comparison with the epidermis to which the vehicle only had been applied. The lipid layers of the SC intercellular spaces and calcium gradient in
Skin barrier function relies on three essential components: stratum corneum (SC) lipids, natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), and the acidic pH of the SC surface. Three endogenous pathways contribute to acidity: free fatty acids from phospholipids, trans-urocanic acid from filaggrin (FLG), and the sodium-proton antiporter (NHE1) activity. An acidic SC environment boosts the activity of enzymes to produce ceramides, which are vital for skin health. Conversely, an elevated pH can lead to increased
The presence of congenitally impaired skin barrier followed by atopic dermatitis (AD) is an initial step in the atopic march. The maintenance of acidic pH in the stratum corneum (SC) has been suggested as a therapeutic or preventive strategy for barrier impairment caused by skin inflammation. To determine whether an AD murine model, flaky tail mice, with inherited filaggrin deficiency could develop airway inflammation by repeated topical application followed by nasal inhalation of house dust mit
Abnormal follicular keratinization is important for comedo formation in acne, but the precise mechanism is not known. A recent report about acne vulgaris suggested that an impaired water barrier function may be responsible for comedo formation, since the barrier dysfunction is accompanied by hyperkeratosis of the follicular epithelium. Furthermore, the integrity of the water barrier is crucial for the maintenance of the epidermal calcium gradient. Yet stratum corneum intercellular lipid structur
Four cases of hair follicle nevi are described. Hair follicle nevus is an extremely rare hamartoma occurring on the face, which has had no clear histopathologic definition until now. A short review of the clinicopathologic features of this disease is presented.
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