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Cutaneous Transcytosis

Meaning

Cutaneous Transcytosis is a specialized biological process describing the transcellular transport of molecules, particularly large peptides or small lipophilic compounds, across the stratum corneum and viable layers of the skin barrier by being internalized and shuttled within vesicles. This mechanism is distinct from simple passive diffusion through the intercellular lipid matrix, representing an active, energy-dependent pathway for transdermal drug delivery and the movement of certain biomarkers. In the context of wearable biosensors, understanding cutaneous transcytosis is essential for accurately modeling the movement of target analytes, like specific hormones, from the dermal vasculature to the surface sweat. This active transport pathway is a key determinant of the blood-to-sweat partition coefficient for many physiologically relevant molecules.