Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Is Enriched in Eyelid Specimens of Rosacea: Implications for Pathogenesis and Therapy

Abstract

To assess the role of nuclear factor kappa-B (NFKB) in cutaneous specimens of rosacea and unaffected tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the activated, phosphorylated variant of NFKB (pNFKB) in eyelid specimens of rosacea (n=12) and normal, healthy tissue (n= 12). The numbers of positively staining cells/40× microscopic field were counted across 5 consecutive fields. Additionally, quantitative Western blotting was carried out for pNFKB and NFKB in specimens of rosacea (n= 15) and normal controls (n= 14). Statistical comparisons were performed via a dedicated software package. The mean number of cells/40× microscopic field that stained positively for pNFKB was 18.4 (standard deviation= 15.3) for control patients and 39.3 (standard deviation= 16.9) for rosacea patients, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P= .0024). On Western blotting, the mean ratios of pNFKB:NFKB for control and rosacea patients measured 0.58 (standard deviation= 0.81) and 3.11 (standard deviation= 3.53), respectively. The 2 groups were statistically significantly different (P= .0002). The activated form of NFKB is enriched in rosacea, indicating a role for this pathway in the pathogenesis of this disease. Interference with NFKB signaling may represent a novel therapy for rosacea as clinical agentsbecome available. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.