Lamellar bodies

Lamellar bodies in the alveoli of the lungs fuse with the cell membrane and release pulmonary surfactant into the extracellular space.

These bodies release components that are required for skin shedding (desquamation) in the uppermost epidermal layer, the stratum corneum.

[4] These components include lipids (e.g. glucosylceramides), hydrolytic enzymes (e.g. proteases, acid phosphatases, glucosidases, lipases) and proteins (e.g.

Transportation of molecules via lamellar bodies is thought to prevent enzymes from interacting with their relevant substrates or inhibitors prior to secretion.

Lamellar body secretion and lipid structure is abnormal in the epidermis of patients with Netherton syndrome, a skin disorder characterised by chronic inflammation and universal pruritus (itch).