The experimental production of high-level intraepidermal splits.

The effects of trypsin at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C on adhesion between keratinocytes in normal human epidermis were assessed by light and electron microscopy. The results provide evidence for the contribution of both extracellular and intracellular factors to keratinocyte adhesion and for changes in the nature of adhesion in the granular layer. Trypsinization at 4 degrees C produced a high-level intraepidermal split identical in location and intercellular route to that observed in the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.