Method for Separation of Human Epidermis into Cellular and Keratinous Components.

Abstract

Human epidermis was separated into cellular and keratinous components by centrifuging a dried, pulverized suspension in ether. These 2 layers were studied by histochemical methods and by determining quantitatively their sulfhydryl and disulfide content. The relatively high amts. of disulfide present in the cellular layer suggest that a disulfide containing keratin precursor occurs in the lower epidermal layers.