Adipose Tissue Extracts Treat LL-37-Induced Rosacea by Targeting TRPV1 Pathway | Research

The takeaway

Cell-free adipose tissue extracts reduced cathelicidin LL-37-induced rosacea in mice by downregulating TRPV1, decreasing inflammation, and improving all clinical symptoms.

TRPV1 reversed
Fat-derived growth factors downregulated the TRPV1 receptor that amplifies LL-37 cathelicidin-driven rosacea inflammation

What the researchers found

ATEs downregulated TRPV1 expression, reduced LL-37-induced inflammatory markers (KLK5, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α), and improved all clinical rosacea symptoms including erythema, transepidermal water loss, epidermal thickness, mast cells, and telangiectasia.

Why it matters

This connects the cathelicidin LL-37 rosacea pathway to a novel treatment approach. Understanding that fat-derived factors can suppress TRPV1 — the receptor that amplifies rosacea inflammation — opens a new therapeutic strategy using the body's own healing molecules.

The numbers in context

ATEs containing growth factors successfully reduced TRPV1 expression associated with rosacea symptoms.

How the study worked

LL-37-induced rosacea mouse model and capsaicin-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes treated with ATEs. Assessed TRPV1 expression, calcium influx, inflammatory cytokines, erythema scores, TEWL, epidermal thickness, mast cell infiltration, CD31 expression, and biocompatibility.

Who was studied

Rosacea models treated with cell-free adipose tissue extracts

What this study cannot tell us

Preclinical study in mice. ATE composition varies between donors and preparations, making standardization challenging. Long-term effects and optimal dosing not established. Human clinical trials needed.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary evidence: preclinical study with promising in vitro and in vivo results in an LL-37 rosacea model. No human clinical data.

When this study was published

Published in 2024 in Scientific Reports. Novel biological approach to cathelicidin-mediated rosacea.

The bigger picture

LL-37 (cathelicidin) is a central peptide in rosacea pathology. This study shows that the LL-37-TRPV1 inflammatory axis can be reversed by biological extracts containing growth factors. As regenerative medicine advances, using the body's own growth factors to treat chronic inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea represents a biocompatible alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals.

Questions still open

Could standardized ATE preparations become a commercial rosacea treatment?
Which specific growth factors in ATEs are responsible for TRPV1 downregulation?
How does ATE treatment compare to existing rosacea drugs like azelaic acid or doxycycline?

Common questions

What causes rosacea at the molecular level?

Rosacea is driven in part by overproduction of the cathelicidin peptide LL-37, which activates TRPV1 receptors on skin cells, triggering inflammation, redness, and blood vessel dilation. This study shows that fat-derived growth factors can calm this cascade.

Could fat tissue extracts become a rosacea treatment?

This mouse study is promising — ATEs improved all rosacea symptoms by targeting the TRPV1 pathway. However, human clinical trials, standardization of ATE preparations, and regulatory approval would be needed before this could become a treatment option.

Read the original research

Cell-free adipose tissue extracts as a novel treatment for rosacea by downregulating TRPV1.

Scientific reports, 14(1), 21759

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Zhou, Liuyi; Chen, Lulu; Li, Ting; Wang, Lu; Lin, Shiqi; Zhao, Ye; Wu, Sufan; Jin, Tingting. (2024). Cell-free adipose tissue extracts as a novel treatment for rosacea by downregulating TRPV1.. Scientific reports, 14(1), 21759. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72593-8