Effects of dextran sulfate, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, pongamia oil and hesperidin methyl chalcone on inflammatory and vascular responses implicated in rosacea

Abstract

Background

Rosacea is a chronic facial skin disorder characterized by inflammation and vascular abnormalities. The pathophysiology of rosacea involves increased activation of the capsaicin receptor, TRPV1, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, and cathelicidin LL-37, MMP-9, and KLKs. We evaluated the activity of four compounds (dextran sulfate, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol [BCH; TRP-regulin^®], pongamia oil, and hesperidin methyl chalcone [HMC]) on inflammatory and vascular responses implicated in rosacea.

Materials and methods

The anti-inflammatory activity of dextran sulfate was evaluated on PGE2 production after PMA stimulation of NCTC-2544 keratinocytes, and on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) after proinflammatory stimulation to mimic a rosacea environment. The anti-angiogenic activity of dextran sulfate was measured by analyzing pseudotube formation in co-cultured human microvascular endothelial cells/normal human dermal fibroblasts. HMC modulation of vascular responses and IL-8 cytokine production after SP stimulation was evaluated in human skin explants. We also assessed the effect of BCH on TRPV1 activation, and the effect of combined BCH and pongamia oil on the inflammatory response of NHEKs.

Results

Dextran sulfate strongly and significantly inhibited PMA-induced PGE2 production, inhibited KLK5 and MMP-9 mRNA expression, and IL-8, IL-1α and VEGF production, and displayed a highly significant inhibitory effect on VEGF-induced pseudotube formation. In SP-stimulated human skin explants, HMC significantly decreased the proportion of dilated vessels, total vessel area, and IL-8 production. BCH significantly and dose-dependently inhibited TRPV1 activation, and BCH and pongamia oil inhibited CXCL1 and CXCL6 mRNA expression and IL-8 production in NHEKs. Combined BCH/pongamia oil inhibited IL-8 production synergistically.

Conclusion

These in vitro results showed that dextran sulfate, BCH, pongamia oil and HMC, possess complementary soothing and anti-redness properties, supporting their combination in Avène redness-relief cosmetic products for sensitive skin prone to redness, and for topical adjunctive rosacea treatment.

Keywords:

• rosacea
• keratinocyte
• inflammation
• redness
• VEGF

Introduction

Rosacea, a chronic skin disorder with poorly understood etiology, is characterized by inflammation and vascular abnormalities of the facial skin. Rosacea skin biopsies show perivascular infiltrates associated with vasodilation and increased activation of the capsaicin receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1).¹ Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a vasoactive and inflammatory factor, and the VEGF receptor, have also been shown to be expressed in rosacea skin biopsies. The endothelium expresses both VEGF receptors (VEGF R1 and VEGF R2). Although VEGF is present in the epidermis and epithelium, it is not expressed by the endothelium but rather by infiltrating immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages. Therefore, the VEGF pathway may contribute to the vascular changes and immune infiltration that are observed in rosacea.²

Molecular studies also show a common link between the triggers of rosacea and the cellular response, suggesting that an altered innate immune response is involved in disease pathogenesis.³ Rosacea skin is susceptible to environmental changes, altered hormone balance, and microbe challenges because of increased toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2).³ The activation of TLR2 induces an increase in effector molecules: cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) and kallikrein 5 (KLK5).³ Elevated KLK5 results in the generation of active peptides such as LL-37, which stimulates vascular changes and inflammatory cell recruitment.^3,4 The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9 are also increased in rosacea skin.⁵ In this pathology, proinflammatory cytokines trigger the release of MMPs, especially MMP-1, -3, and -9, leading to the degradation of extracellular matrix components,⁶ and inflammatory damage in the form of papulopustular lesions.⁷ Moreover, MMP has a role in LL-37 activation by activating KLKs.⁸

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of different active ingredients incorporated into the Avène range of redness-relief products dedicated to skin which is prone to redness and rosacea. Thus, dextran sulfate, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol (BCH; TRP-regulin^®), pongamia oil and hesperidin methyl chalcone (HMC) were evaluated on the inflammatory and vascular responses implicated in rosacea.

Materials and methods

Cells and cell culture

The NCTC-2544 human keratinocyte cell line was purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA) and grown on DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS).

Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were produced from skin explants (abdominoplasty or breast reduction, obtained with written and informed patient consent). NHEKs were grown in Keratinocyte Serum-Free Growth Medium (Gibco^®, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) supplemented with bovine pituitary extract and epidermal growth factor (Gibco).

Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) or normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were grown in co-culture medium: Endothelial Cell Basal Medium 2 and DMEM supplemented with 1% FCS.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production

The keratinocyte cell line NCTC-2544 was stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA; 0.1 µg/mL) for 24 hours. Dextran sulfate (0.2 and 2 mg/mL) was pre-incubated with the cells for 24 hours before PMA stimulation. Indomethacin (1 µM) was used as a positive control. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production (a marker for inflammation) was analyzed in culture supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantification. Results were expressed as absolute quantity of PGE2, and as the percentage of inhibition to the stimulated condition.

NHEK rosacea model: ELISA and mRNA expression

NHEKs were exposed for 1 hour with dextran sulfate 10 µg/mL (for IL-8, IL-1α, KLK5, and MMP-9 experiments) or 4, 13 and 40 µg/mL (for VEGF experiments), or the positive control I kappa B kinase (IKK) inhibitor (10 µM; a specific NF-κB inhibitor), then stimulated for 24 hours with a proinflammatory stimulus to mimic a rosacea-like environment (LL37 [3 µM], FSL1 [0.3 µg/mL], TNF-α [3 ng/mL]). The culture supernatants were removed, centrifuged, and then frozen at −20°C and VEGF, IL-8 and IL-1α were quantified by ELISA (DuoSet Kit; R&D Systems, Lille, France) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To assess the effects of dextran sulfate on KLK5 and MMP-9 expression, cells were also harvested for mRNA extraction. RNA was extracted with the Qiacube (Qiagen NV, Venlo, the Netherlands), according to the supplier’s instructions. Total RNA was converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) with the SuperScript VILO cDNA synthesis kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The cDNA was then used for real-time quantitative PCR, according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Relative quantities (RQs) were calculated using Expression Suite software and with respect to the control. Regulation of the expression of the gene of interest was taken into account on the basis of an RQ ≥2 (induction) or an RQ ≤0.5 (inhibition). RQ was 1 for non-stressed cells.

Using the same methodology, the anti-inflammatory response of BCH (300 µM, corresponding to 47 µg/mL) and/or pongamia oil (10 and 20 μg/mL) was also evaluated in NHEKs exposed to a rosacea environment for 24 hours. Cells were harvested for IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL6 mRNA analysis expression. Culture supernatants were also collected and IL-8 was quantified by ELISA.

Pseudotube formation

The HMVEC/NHDF co-culture was seeded in 96-well plates in co-culture medium and incubated for 24 hours. The medium was then removed and replaced by co-culture medium containing, or not (control), dextran sulfate (10, 30, and 100 µg/mL) or the positive reference (suramin 100 µM) and then the cells were stimulated with VEGF (100 ng/mL). In parallel, a non-stimulated control was performed. Cells were incubated for 7 days with treatment renewal after 72 hours of incubation. After incubation, the co-culture medium was discarded and the cells were rinsed, fixed, permeabilized, and labeled using an anti-collagen IV primary antibody. The primary antibody was then revealed using an appropriate fluorescent secondary antibody (GAR-Alexa 568), and the cell nuclei were stained in parallel using Hoechst 33,258 solution (bis-benzimide). The formation of pseudotubes was observed using a NIKON Diaphot 300 microscope (objective lens ×4). Images were captured using a NIKON DS-Fi1 camera and NIS-Elements 4.13.04 software. The analysis of pseudotube formation was performed through collagen IV labeling using Image J software. The percentage inhibition of VEGF-induced pseudotube formation was calculated using the mean of the pseudotube area (mm²) in the different conditions.

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) antagonist activity

TRPV1 antagonist activity (BCH 10, 30, and 100 µg/mL) was analyzed on CHO human recombinant cells after 30 minutes of stimulation with capsaicin (30 nM). Intracellular calcium was measured by fluorimetry and the percentage inhibition of control agonist response was calculated.

Vascular response induced by substance P (SP) in a normal human skin model

Fragments of normal human skin were obtained from plastic surgery (eight different donors) and placed in inserts positioned over culture wells, as developed by Boisnic et al.⁹ The medium used was DMEM containing antibiotics (100 U/mL penicillin and 100 µg/mL streptomycin), 200 µg/mL l-glutamine and growth factors (bovine pituitary extract and FCS). HMC (0.2 mg/mL) and the NK1 inhibitor L-703,606 oxalate (10 µM; positive control inhibitor for SP activation) were diluted in skin model culture medium at Day 0. Compounds were then preincubated for 24 hours. At Day 1, SP (10 µM) and test compounds were added for 24 hours. At Day 2, supernatants were frozen for IL-8 analysis; skin explants were fixed then paraffin-imbedded for histological analysis. After staining with H&E, vascular modulation was evaluated by counting the number of dilated vessels on the entire histological section. Vascular modulation was determined by the proportion of dilated vessels among the total number of vessels counted on the entire histological section (16 fields at 40× magnification). Morphometric analysis of the surface (µm²) occupied by the light of the vessels was performed to determine the average area (µm²) occupied by the vessels in the dermis. The cytokine IL-8 immunoassay was performed with the Gen-Probe kit (Eurobio, Courtaboeuf, France), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. CD34 immunohistochemistry was performed according to standard procedures using CD34 antibody (QBEnd 10; Dako, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and universal labelled streptavidin biotin Kit (Dako).

Statistical analysis

Statistical significance was determined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and using Dunnett’s test as the post-test for ELISA assays. Intergroup comparisons were performed by an unpaired Student’s t-test for pseudotube formation and TRPV1 antagonist activity and by a paired Student’s t-test for experiments performed on human skin explants.

Ethics statement

Experiments on human cells and tissues (obtained from surgical waste, generally abdominal or breast surgical reduction) were conducted according to French Ethical Practice and approved by the Ministère de l” Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (CODECOH statement delivery: approval no. DC-2011-1457). In accordance with this ethical statement, patients provided written informed consent.

Results

Anti-inflammatory activity of dextran sulfate

PMA strongly induced PGE2 production and the positive control, indomethacin, completely inhibited PGE2 production (P<0.01). Dextran sulfate (0.2 and 2 mg/mL) strongly and significantly inhibited PMA-induced PGE2 production (68% and 70% inhibition, respectively; both P<0.01 vs PMA-stimulated control cells).

IL-1α and IL-8 production, and KLK5 and MMP-9 mRNA expression, was induced in NHEKs exposed to a rosacea environment for 24 hours. The positive control, IKK inhibitor (10 µM; a specific NF-κB inhibitor), inhibited IL-1α and IL-8 production and KLK5 and MMP-9 mRNA expression induced by the rosacea environment. Dextran sulfate (10 µg/mL) strongly inhibited IL-1α and IL-8 production (Figure 1A), as well as KLK5 and MMP-9 mRNA expression (Figure 1B).

Figure 1 Mean (pg/mL) and percentage inhibition of IL-1α and IL-8 expression (A), and RQ and percentage inhibition of KLK5 and MMP-9 mRNA expression (B) after incubation of NHEK with dextran sulfate for 24 hours in a rosacea environment. IKK inhibitor was used as a positive control.

Note: Data shown are the mean of three independent experiments. **P<0.01 vs control cells.
Abbreviations: RQ, relative quantity; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase 9; NHEK, normal human epidermal keratinocyte; IKK, I kappa B kinase.

Anti-redness activities of dextran sulfate

In keratinocytes exposed to a rosacea environment for 24 hours, VEGF expression was induced. At the three concentrations tested (4, 13, and 40 µg/mL), dextran sulfate completely inhibited VEGF production (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Mean (pg/mL) and percentage inhibition of VEGF expression after incubation of keratinocytes with dextran sulfate for 24 hours in a rosacea environment.

Note: Data shown are the mean of three independent experiments. **P<0.01 vs control cells.
Abbreviation: VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

The anti-angiogenic activity of dextran sulfate was assessed by analyzing the formation of pseudotubes on HMVEC/NHDF co-culture. Figure 3 shows that VEGF strongly induced pseudotube formation and, importantly, suramin (100 µM; positive control) inhibited this effect. Dextran sulfate 10, 30, and 100 µg/mL, displayed a highly significant inhibitory effect on VEGF-induced pseudotube formation in the HMVEC/NHDF co-culture (47%, 49%, and 54% inhibition, respectively).

Figure 3 Effect of dextran sulfate on pseudotube formation.

Notes: (A) Mean inhibition (%) of VEGF-induced pseudotube formation (mean of three experiments). Suramin 100 µM was used as a positive control. (B) Representative images of the effect of dextran sulfate on VEGF-induced pseudotube formation by endothelial cells. Endothelial cells were labeled with anti-collagen IV antibody-AF568. Magnification ×20. **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.
Abbreviation: VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

Anti-TRPV1 activity of 4-t-butylcyclohexanol (BCH)

BCH significantly inhibited TRPV1 activation by capsaicin in CHO-TRPV1 recombinant cells, in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition at 100 µg/mL (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Percentage TRPV1 inhibition after 30 minutes of stimulation by capsaicin and treatment with different concentrations of BCH.

Note: Data shown are the mean of three independent experiments.
Abbreviations: TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1; BCH, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol.

Anti-inflammatory activity of BCH and pongamia oil

As shown previously (Figure 1), the rosacea environment induced IL-8 production (Figure 5); in addition, IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL6 mRNA expressions were increased (Figure 6). The positive control, IKK inhibitor (10 µM), strongly inhibited this chemokine activity. Moreover, BCH and pongamia oil inhibited the mRNA expression of the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL6, and IL-8 (Figure 6). In addition, the combination of BCH and pongamia oil demonstrated a synergistic effect on the inhibition of IL-8 production (Figure 5).

Figure 5 Mean (pg/mL) and percentage inhibition of IL-8 expression after incubation of NHEK with BCH, pongamia oil, or BCH + pongamia oil, for 24 hours in a rosacea environment. IKK inhibitor was used as a positive control.

Notes: Data shown are the mean of three independent experiments. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 vs control cells.
Abbreviations: IKK, I kappa B kinase; BCH, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol; NHEK, normal human epidermal keratinocyte.

Figure 6 The RQ and percentage inhibition of IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL6 mRNA expression after incubation of NHEK with BCH or pongamia oil for 24 hours in a rosacea environment. IKK inhibitor was used as a positive control.

Note: Data shown are the mean of three independent experiments.
Abbreviations: RQ, relative quantity; IKK, I kappa B kinase; BCH, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol; NHEK, normal human epidermal keratinocyte.

Anti-redness activity of hesperidin methyl chalcone

In human skin explants, SP stimulation induced significant vasodilation, an increase in the vessel surface, and increased IL-8 production, relative to the control skin (Figure 7). The NK1 inhibitor completely inhibited the vasodilation, the vessel surface, and IL-8 production. In this model of SP-stimulated skin, HMC (0.2 mg/mL [0.02%]) significantly decreased the proportion of dilated vessels (48% inhibition), total vessel area (72% inhibition), and IL-8 production (79% inhibition) (Figure 7).

Figure 7 The activity of HMC in modulating vascular responses and IL-8 cytokine production after SP stimulation in human skin explants. Human skin explants were pre-incubated (or not) with HMC and then stimulated with SP for 24 hours. L-703,606 oxalate (10 µM), an NK1 inhibitor, was used as a positive control.

Notes: (A) Representative images from H&E coloration of the effect of the test compounds on vessel dilation: normal morphology of capillary vessels is denoted by an asterisk, dilated capillary vessels are marked by an arrow; SP induced a clear dilation of the capillary vessels, while the addition of NK1 inhibitor prevented vascular dilation. HMC prevented SP-induced vessels dilation. (B) CD34+ endothelial cells immunostaining (arrows); CD34-labeling of endothelial cells surrounded by capillary vessels revealed alteration of vessels by SP and normal morphology with both NK1 inhibitor and HMC. Magnification ×40. (C) Proportion of dilated vessel capillaries and percentage inhibition of dilation with the test compounds. (D) Mean (µm²) and percentage inhibition of vessels surface. (E) Mean (pg/mL) and percentage inhibition of IL-8 expression. Data shown are the mean of eight independent experiments. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 vs SP-stimulated explants. ^##P<0.01 vs control explants. Red bar indicates exposure to rosacea environment only.
Abbreviations: HMC, hesperidin methyl chalcone; SP, substance P.

Discussion

Rosacea is a chronic relapsing inflammatory and vascular disease of the facial skin, characterized by flushing, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis.¹⁰ The prevalence of rosacea is estimated to range from 2-22%, with a particularly high prevalence in fair-skinned Caucasian adults.^11–14 Although the occurrence of rosacea is common, the complex pathophysiology, representing dysregulation of the immune, vascular and nervous systems, is relatively poorly understood.^10,15 At the molecular level, aberration of the innate immune response and antimicrobial peptides (eg, CAMP, KLK5, and MMPs) coupled with neurogenic inflammation and vascular hyperreactivity (eg, TRPV, IL-1, IL-8, CXCLs) play key roles in the pathophysiology of rosacea.^6,8,15 In addition, VEGF has been identified as an important epidermal marker for reddened skin in rosacea.²

The in vitro experiments reported herein show that dextran sulfate strongly and significantly inhibited PMA-induced PGE2 production. Furthermore, dextran sulfate inhibited cytokine (IL-1α and IL-8) production in a rosacea environment. By inhibiting these different inflammatory markers, dextran sulfate demonstrates potential soothing properties. Moreover, dextran sulfate inhibited the mRNA expression of proteases KLK5 and MMP-9 in keratinocytes exposed to a rosacea environment. By inhibiting KLK5 and MMP-9 mRNA expression, dextran sulfate may also inhibit LL-37 activity, an important cathelicidin that is associated with rosacea.³ Dextran sulfate also inhibited the pro-angiogenic factor VEGF in a rosacea environment and showed a highly significant inhibitory effect on VEGF-induced pseudotube formation in co-cultured HMVEC/NHDF cells. Therefore, dextran sulfate appears to possess interesting soothing and anti-redness properties.

Rosacea is also associated with increased TRPV1 activity.¹ Inhibition of this activity by BCH appears to represent an interesting approach to limit rosacea. Our results showed that, individually, BCH and pongamia oil inhibited IL-8 production and CXCL1 and CXCL6 mRNA expression in keratinocytes exposed to a rosacea environment. Moreover, the combination of BCH and pongamia oil demonstrated a synergistic effect on the inhibition of IL-8 production. Therefore, these two compounds possess soothing properties in a rosacea environment.

Finally, we demonstrated that HMC decreased the proportion of dilated vessels, the total vessel area and IL-8 production in a model of SP-stimulated skin. Thus, in this model, HMC inhibited inflammation and vasodilation. HMC is used to treat chronic venous disease (CVD).^16,17 The inflammatory response is a key player in the pathophysiology of CVD,¹⁷ and previous preclinical studies have reported that HMC inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation induced by ultraviolet B irradiation.^18–20

Currently, the main focus for the treatment of patients with rosacea is symptom suppression to improve quality of life, prevent disease progression, and maintain remission.^15,21 Treatment generally starts with patient education and general measures including gentle skin cleansing, photoprotection, and avoidance of exacerbating factors such as changes in temperature, ultraviolet light, stress, alcohol, and certain foods.^15,21 Depending on the rosacea subtype, pharmacological therapy includes topical metronidazole, ivermectin, azelaic acid, or brimonidine as monotherapy or in combination, or systemic doxycycline, tetracycline or isotretinoin.^15,22 In general, many of the available therapeutic options for rosacea are used as monotherapy and, as such, there is currently a lack of data on the simultaneous and complementary treatment of different pathophysiological features of rosacea. Although the current study, designed to assess the effectiveness of four active compounds for rosacea treatment, only reports in vitro data, it highlights the potential clinical importance of combining agents which complement each other to target different aspects of the multifactorial pathophysiology of rosacea.

Conclusion

Rosacea is a chronic vascular and inflammatory skin disease. Understanding the role of factors that trigger the onset of rosacea symptoms and exacerbate the condition (eg, TRPV1, VEGF, KLK5, MMP-9, IL-1α,IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL6) is important in treating this skin disease. Overall, our in vitro results showed that dextran sulfate, BCH, pongamia oil, and HMC possess complementary soothing and anti-redness properties and, as such, they could potentially be suitable candidates for topical adjunctive treatment in patients with rosacea.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank David P. Figgitt PhD, ISMPP CMPP™, Content Ed Net, for providing editorial assistance in the preparation of the manuscript, with funding from Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique, Lavaur, France.

The abstract of this paper was presented at the following conferences as a poster presentation with interim findings: IFSCC (International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists) 2017, SID (Society for Investigative Dermatology) 2017, ESDR (European Society for Dermatological Research) 2017, and WCI (World Congress on Inflammation) 2017 (http://www.iloveweb.kr/IFSCC2017/file/abstract/Abstract%20P-175.pdf). The poster’s abstract was published in “Poster Abstracts” (Oct 2017), J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(10):S276, October 2017; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320151861_492_Properties_of_TRP-regulin_R_pongamia_oil_and_hesperidin_methyl_chalcone_on_anti-redness_treatment.

Disclosure

All authors are employees of Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique R&D Center, Toulouse, France. A patent has been deposited (FR 1750059) by Hernandez-Pigeon H and Castex-Rizzi N. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.