Fragility of the epidermis, a common pathophysiological mechanism of acne vulgaris, rosacea and reactive skin involving inflammasome activation

Purpose of the study: The goal of this study was to review the recent evidence regarding the pathophysiology of reactive skin, acne vulgaris and rosacea, with a focus on the link between the impaired skin barrier and the inflammasome. In this context, we evaluated the activity of Rhealba oat plantlet extract on the inflammasome in vitro. Procedures: Using an in vitro inflammatory model of Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE), we investigated the biologically active forms of inflammasome products, IL-1β and IL-18 cytokines, in parallel with inflammatory mediators IL-6, IL-8, TNF-, VEGF-A, MIP-1/CCL3, sICAM-1. Results: We showed that a 2-h pre-treatment with Rhealba oat plantlet extract with Vitamin E and A-DERMA cream for reactive skin significantly prevented poly I:C-induced up-regulation of inflammatory mediators and inflammasome cytokines, as we observed IL8, IL6, TNF, VEGF-A, MIP-1, sICAM-1, IL18 down-regulation, along with a significant reduction of IL1-. Conclusions and message of the paper: We propose that reactive skin, rosacea and acne share skin barrier and innate immunity dysfunctions. Moreover, the results suggest that Rhealba Oat plantlet extract provides an adequate solution for the management of reactive skin, and probably for the other skin disorders involving inflammasome pathway activation.