A Novel Mechanism of Carvedilol Efficacy for Rosacea Treatment: Toll-Like Receptor 2 Inhibition in Macrophages

Abstract

Background: Rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder etiologically associated with immune cells and the antibacterial peptide cathelicidin LL-37, can be effectively treated by oral carvedilol administration.

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying carvedilol efficacy in rosacea treatment.

Methods: Skin samples of patients with rosacea were subjected to histopathological (hematoxylin and eosin) and immunohistochemical (CD68, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), kallikrein 5, cathelicidin, TNF-α, and IL-1β) evaluation. An in vivo murine rosacea-like inflammation model was established by LL-37 intradermal injection with or without carvedilol gavage-based pretreatment. Erythema proportion (Image J) and skin redness (L*a*b colorimetry) were quantified. Murine skin samples underwent pathological examination for inflammatory status and immunofluorescence staining. Murine skin and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with or without carvedilol pretreatment were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Clinical facial images of patients were obtained using the VISIA skin analysis system before, 4, and 6 months following oral carvedilol administration.

Results: Rosacea skin lesions exhibited more pronounced inflammatory cell infiltration than peripheral areas, with profound macrophage infiltration and inflammatory cytokines (TLR2, kallikrein 5, cathelicidin, TNF-α, and IL-1β). In vivo, carvedilol alleviated inflammation in LL-37 mice, down-regulating TLR2, KLK5, and cathelicidin expression. In vitro, carvedilol decreased TLR2 expression in RAW 264.7 cells, further reducing KLK5 secretion and LL-37 expression and ultimately inhibiting rosacea-like inflammatory reactions. Clinical manifestations and facial redness obviously improved during 6-month follow-up with systemic carvedilol administration.

Conclusion: Carvedilol is effective against rosacea, with inhibition of macrophage TLR2 expression as a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism.

Keywords: KLK5; TLR2; carvedilol; cathelicidin; macrophage; rosacea.