Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common vascular tumor and arise from a hemangioma stem cell (HemSC). Propranolol has proved efficacious against IHs. A selective β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonist mirrored propranolol’s effects on HemSCs. These results show that propranolol acts on HemSCs in IH to suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis in a dose-dependent fashion via β2AR perturbation.

Background Infantile hemangiomas are the most common tumor of infancy, yet there are no FDA-approved therapeutics to date. Recently, the non-selective beta-adrenergic-blocker propranolol has been shown to be a safe and effective means of treating infantile hemangiomas, though its mechanism has yet to be elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that propranolol induces early and incomplete adipogenesis in stem cells derived from hemangiomas. We hypothesize that propranolol promotes dysregulated adipogenesis via the improper regulation of adipogenic genes. Methods Hemangioma stem cells isolated from resected infantile hemangioma specimens were treated with adipogenic medium for 1 or 4 days in either propranolol or vehicle. Cell death was measured by the incorporation of annexin V and propidium iodide by flow cytometry. Adipogenesis was assessed by visualizing lipid droplet formation by Oil Red O staining. Pro-adipogenic genes C/EBPβ, C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ, PPARδ, PPARγ, RXRα, and RXRγ were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Results Hemangioma stem cells treated with propranolol increased lipid droplet formation compared to vehicle-treated cells indicating increased adipogenesis. Cell death as measured by FACS analysis indicated that the propranolol-treated cells died due to necrosis and not apoptosis. During adipogenesis, transcript levels of PPARδ, PPARγ, C/EBPβ, and C/EBPδ were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in propranolol-treated cells relative to control cells. In contrast, RXRα and RXRγ levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and C/EBPα, a gene required for terminal adipocyte differentiation, was strongly suppressed by propranolol when compared to vehicle-treated cells (p < 0.01). Conclusions In hemangioma stem cells, propranolol accelerated dysregulated adipogenic differentiation characterized by improper adipogenic gene expression. Consistent with accelerated adipogenesis, propranolol significantly increased the expression of the pro-adipogenic genes, PPARγ , C/EBPβ and C/EBPγ compared to control. However, propranolol treatment also led to improper induction of PPARδ and suppression of C/EBPα, RXRα and RXRγ. Taken together this data indicates that propranolol promoted dysregulated adipogenesis and inhibited the hemangioma stem cells from becoming functional adipocytes, ultimately resulting in cell death. Understanding this mechanism behind propranolol's effectiveness will be a vital factor in producing more effective therapies in the future.

Background: Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat problematic infantile hemangiomas, but a subset of patients experience treatment complications. Parents wary of long-term use and side effects consult plastic surgeons on surgical options or as a second opinion. Understanding the mechanism(s) of action of propranolol will allow plastic surgeons to better inform parents. Methods: A systemic literature search was performed to query published translational and basic science studies on propranolol effects on infantile hemangiomas and cells derived from these lesions. Results: In experimental studies, propranolol was antiproliferative and cytotoxic against hemangioma endothelial and stem cells and affected infantile hemangioma perivascular cell contractility. Propranolol inhibited migration, network formation, vascular endothelial growth factor A production, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 activation and down-regulated PI3K/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in hemangioma endothelial cells, but it increased ERK1/2 activity in hemangioma stem cells. At effective clinical doses, measured propranolol plasma concentration is 100 times higher than necessary for complete β-adrenergic receptor blockade, yet was 10 to 100 times less than required to induce hemangioma stem cell death. Conclusions: Propranolol targets multiple cell types in infantile hemangiomas by means of β-adrenergic receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Plasma concentration played a significant role. At clinically relevant doses, incomplete infantile hemangioma suppression may explain the rebound phenomenon and worsening ulceration, and propranolol off target effects may lead to commonly reported adverse effects, such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Propranolol limitations and complications underscore the importance of surgical treatment options in cases of rebound and severe adverse effects. Surgical intervention remains an important treatment choice when parents are hesitant to use propranolol.