Lamellar bodies: the key to cutaneous barrier function.

The two primary barrier functions of skin (permeability and microbial barriers) are provided by lipids and proteins delivered to the extracellular spaces of the stratum corneum by the secretion of lamellar bodies. Owing to their importance in this process, the mechanisms of and the factors regulating lamellar body formation must be better understood. Tarutani et al. (2012) provide data furthering the concept of the importance of the Golgi network in lamellar body formation and the necessity of acidification of the Golgi for normal function.