Raynaud’s Phenomenon: A Brief Review of the Underlying Mechanisms

Abstract

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is characterized by exaggerated cold-induced vasoconstriction. This augmented vasoconstriction occurs by virtue of a reflex response to cooling via the sympathetic nervous system as well as by local activation of α_2C adrenoceptors (α_2C-AR). In a cold-initiated, mitochondrion-mediated mechanism involving reactive oxygen species and the Rho/ROCK pathway, cytoskeletal rearrangement in vascular smooth muscle cells orchestrates the translocation of α_2C-AR to the cell membrane, where this receptor readily interacts with its ligand. Different parameters are involved in this spatial and functional rescue of α_2C-AR. Of notable relevance is the female hormone, 17β-estradiol, or estrogen. This is consistent with the high prevalence of RP in premenopausal women compared to age-matched males. In addition to dissecting the role of these various players, the contribution of pollution as well as genetic background to the onset and prevalence of RP are also discussed. Different therapeutic approaches employed as treatment modalities for this disease are also highlighted and analyzed. The lack of an appropriate animal model for RP mandates that more efforts be undertaken in order to better understand and eventually treat this disease. Although several lines of treatment are utilized, it is important to note that precaution is often effective in reducing severity or frequency of RP attacks.

Introduction

Cold-induced vasoconstriction of cutaneous arterioles is a normal physiological process that redirects blood from the superficial circulation to internal organs in order to protect the body from excessive heat loss (Charkoudian, 2010). This constriction is mediated by reflex sympathetic release of norepinephrine (Charkoudian, 2010) as well as increased sensitization of the vasculature (Vanhoutte, 1980; Wigley and Flavahan, 2016). When this cold-induced constriction is exaggerated, it leads to a pathological condition known as Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) (Herrick, 2012). This disease can be clinically classified as primary or secondary (Block and Sequeira, 2001). Primary RP is idiopathic, and it is the most common form of the disease (Roustit et al., 2014). On the other hand, Secondary RP could be due to myriad of underlying health conditions such as autoimmune diseases or cancer, as well as lifestyle conditions such as smoking or certain medications (Prete et al., 2014). Indeed, 95% of patients suffering from Scleroderma are diagnosed with RP (Black, 1995).

Raynaud’s phenomenon affects up to 10% of the general population (Garner et al., 2015). Affected individuals suffer from cold-provoked vasospastic attacks (Heidrich, 2010) which are associated with the classic triple-color change (pallor, cyanosis, and erythema) (Maverakis et al., 2014), in addition to puffiness and ulcerations mainly at the level of fingers (Gerbracht et al., 1985). Other distal body organs such as the nose, toes, and nipples are reported to be affected (Block and Sequeira, 2001; Anderson et al., 2004). While there are different manifestations that can be used to diagnose RP, changes in some parameters may also be helpful. For example, serological tests of RP patients show increased levels of endothelin-1 (Zamora et al., 1990), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (Rychlik-Golema et al., 2006), fibrinogen (Spengler et al., 2004), platelet factor (PF-4), and von Willebrand’s factor (vWF) (Rychlik-Golema et al., 2006). Magnesium ions and S-nitrosothiols levels appear to decrease in RP patients compared to unaffected individuals (Leppert et al., 1990; Kundu et al., 2014). Furthermore, anti-centromere and anti-centriole antibodies are detected in patients’ sera (Gentric et al., 1990; Yamada et al., 2014).

Many hypotheses have been proposed to dissect and explain the underlying mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of RP. Recent evidence appears to lend strong support for the mosaic theory of this disease (Greenstein et al., 1996). This theory consolidates the multi-etiology of the disease, involving local, neuronal, and hormonal mediators (Wigley, 2002). Impaired function of any of these mediators may contribute to an exaggerated constriction of cutaneous arteries in response to noradrenaline (Easter and Marshall, 2005). Noradrenaline elicits its effects through binding to adrenergic receptors located on the surface of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) (Guimaraes and Moura, 2001). Typically, VSMCs have three types of adrenergic receptors (ARs): α₁, α₂, and β₂. Depending on the vascular bed, β₁ and β₃ adrenoceptors may also be present but usually with a lower expression than β2 adrenoceptors (Ahles and Engelhardt, 2014). β₂ adrenoceptors are involved solely in vasodilation (McCance and Huether, 2013), whereas α₁ and α₂-ARs are responsible for vasoconstriction (Figure 1A). While α₁-ARs have a wide expression pattern across the vascular tree, α₂-ARs are predominantly present in smaller blood vessels or arterioles (Polonia et al., 1985). At one point, these receptors were surprisingly found to be present in the protein extract of minced aortas (Chotani et al., 2004). However, histochemical analysis showed that these receptors were expressed in the vasa vasorum of the aorta (Chotani et al., 2004).

FIGURE 1.

(A) Predominant adrenergic receptors in arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). β2AR mediates mediates vasodilation of small microvessels. Vasoconstriction of these vessels occurs via α1-AR, α_2A-AR, and α_2C-AR. Whereas α1-, α_2A-, and β₂-ARs in these cells are localized at the cell surface, α_2C-AR (in dotted orange circle) is uniquely trapped intracellularly (mostly trans-Golgi). However, it can be mobilized to the membrane by various stimuli such as cold temperatures. α_2C-AR mediates cold-induced vasoconstriction, which when exacerbated may lead to Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). (B) Mechanism of cold-induced mobilization of α_2C-AR. In cutaneous arteriolar SMCs, a decrease in temperature is sensed by the mitochondria, which then releases reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, in turn, activates the Rho/ROCK pathway. Subsequent cytoskeletal rearrangements involving F-actin and filamin-2 promote mobilization of α_2C-AR from the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi to the cell surface.

Early evidence clearly pointed to the prominent role of α₂-ARs in local cooling-induced constriction of cutaneous arteries. It is important to note that local cooling causes vasodilation (Johnson and Kellogg, 2010) as well as inhibits α₁-AR-mediated vasoconstriction (Freedman et al., 1992). Paradoxically, this very cooling also causes vasoconstriction by virtue of its potential to selectively amplify α₂-AR-mediated constrictive effects (Jeyaraj et al., 2001; Eid et al., 2008). Because they play the key role in the sympathetic constriction of cutaneous vessels, selective potentiation of α₂-ARs allows their cold-induced constrictive effects to overcome the vasodilatory effects. Accordingly, non-selective α₂-AR antagonists were, at one point, used to treat peripheral cold-induced vasoconstriction but were not therapeutically effective (Freedman et al., 1993).

Molecular, genetic, and pharmacologic studies show that α₂-ARs actually comprise three subtypes: α_2A, α_2B, and α_2C (MacDonald et al., 1997). These subtypes have their corresponding genes on three different chromosomes, and they are all coupled to inhibitory hetero-trimeric G protein (MacDonald et al., 1997). The search for the particular subtype responsible for α₂-AR-mediated cold-induced vasoconstriction remained unclear for some time. α_2A-ARs did not seem to play any role in cold-induced constriction (Chotani et al., 2000). Some reports pointed to the potential use of α_2B-AR antagonists as a treatment option for vasospasms in RP (MacDonald et al., 1997). Much to our surprise, we could not find strong experimental or clinical data that support a role for α_2B-AR antagonists in the treatment of Raynaud’s Disease.

Of the α₂-AR subtypes, α_2C-AR was thought to be a vestigial receptor for two main reasons. The first is that α_2C-ARs are sequestered in an intracellular compartment (von Zastrow and Kobilka, 1994), and thus their function was not easily detected by immunohistochemistry assays (MacDonald et al., 1997). The second is that neither the α_2C-AR knockout nor the transgenic mice showed major changes; both remained viable, fertile, and almost normal (Sallinen et al., 1997). On the other hand, other evidence emerged to argue against the apparent vestigiality of α_2C-AR. First, α_2C-ARs exhibit highly conserved domains present in other adrenoceptors (Nyronen et al., 2001). Second, the apparently normal phenotype may be due to compensation by other α₂-ARs, and third, α_2C-ARs are differentially expressed in cells of different tissues (MacDonald et al., 1997).

One interesting and rather unique feature of its biology is that upon certain physiologic and pathophysiologic stimuli, α_2C-AR can translocate from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus to the cell membrane. This spatial rescue renders the receptor available for its ligand, whose binding then activates the receptor (Chotani et al., 2000, 2004; Jeyaraj et al., 2001). Upon moderate physiological cooling (i.e., 28°C), α_2C-AR is mobilized from the ER/Golgi to the cell surface (Bailey et al., 2004). The now membrane-localized receptors can readily interact with their agonists, become activated and evoke cutaneous vasoconstriction in response to norepinephrine (Jeyaraj et al., 2001). Indeed, it is now evident that the entirety of cold-induced constriction of cutaneous arteries is due to an increased activity of α_2C-ARs (Bailey et al., 2004; Eid et al., 2008). As such, α_2C-ARs appear to play an important role in the augmented vasoconstriction observed in RP (Bailey et al., 2004).

The mechanism by which α_2C-AR translocation takes place involves different players such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), Rho/Rho kinase, and the actin cytoskeleton (Figure 1B). Bailey et al. reported that the Rho/Rho kinase pathway becomes activated as early as few minutes after cells get exposed to cold temperatures (Bailey et al., 2004). The now active Rho evokes the mobilization of α_2C-AR to the membrane, and consequently triggers cold-induced vasoconstriction (Bailey et al., 2004). In this sense, it seems that Rho, rather than α_2C-AR, is the “thermosensor” (Bailey et al., 2004). However, additional and rather elegant investigations from the Flavahan group further showed that the mitochondrion is the “thermo-sensitive” organelle in VSMCs (Bailey et al., 2005). Indeed, upon cold stress, it is the mitochondria that initiate the process by releasing ROS, which in turn triggers a redox signal that activates the Rho/Rho kinase pathway leading to spatial redistribution and functional activation of α_2C-ARs (Bailey et al., 2005). This cooling-induced Rho activation may then act through calcium sensitization or via modulation of cytoskeletal architecture (Hall, 1998; Jeyaraj et al., 2001; Chitaley and Webb, 2002).

RP and the Actin Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton plays a major role in fundamental cellular processes like cell division, migration, cell-cell communication, and protein trafficking (Fletcher and Mullins, 2010). The translocation of α_2C-ARs, a main player in RP, from the ER/Golgi to the cell membrane of VSMCs is critical for their activation. This translocation involves many cytoskeletal components such as F-actin and actin/myosin filaments. It is through modulation of the actomyosin filaments that VSMC contraction and ultimately vasoconstriction occur.

Cold-induced, Rho-mediated architectural change occurs by virtue of a rearrangement of the actin superstructure evident by an increase in F-actin, a downstream effector of Rho kinase signaling (Jeyaraj et al., 2012). Interestingly, immunocytochemical analysis shows that intracellular α_2C-AR and F-actin are sometimes found to be co-localized in non-vascular cells (Hurt et al., 2000). In a rather elegant and orchestrated series of events, α_2C-ARs then get in close proximity and associate with actin filaments, readying themselves for the trafficking process (Jeyaraj et al., 2012). This intimate association appears to be mediated by a direct interaction between α_2C-ARs and filamin-2, a cross-linker of actin filaments (Motawea et al., 2013). Indeed, further in silico protein-protein docking examinations confirmed that the interaction between α_2C-AR and F-actin occurs via the direct binding of α_2C-AR to filamin, the actin binding protein (Pawlowski et al., 2014). Interestingly, this interaction has evolved only in warm blooded animals (Pawlowski et al., 2014). Therefore, elucidation of similar protein-protein interactions can help establish more efficient therapies for exaggerated vasoconstriction. One scenario would include approaches that seek to disrupt the interaction between α_2C-AR and the cytoskeletal component, F-actin.

RP and Estrogen

Evidence from epidemiological studies reveals a rather interesting finding regarding the prevalence of RP. There is a significantly higher incidence of this disease in females versus age-matched males (Maricq et al., 1993; Garner et al., 2015). Indeed, 70% of all American patients suffering from RP are females (Maricq et al., 1993). Among patients affected with RP, the ratio of premenopausal females compared to age-matched males is close to 9:1 (Belch and Ho, 2001). This clearly illustrates a gender-based element in the prevalence of the disease, and thus hints to a potential role of sex hormones in its onset or pathology (Maricq et al., 1993). Although it is reported that cardiovascular diseases in general are more prevalent in men and post-menopausal women (Reslan and Khalil, 2012), being a female is among the risk factors of RP (Garner et al., 2015). This conclusion is partly based on a meta-analysis study asserting the much higher prevalence in females compared to males (Garner et al., 2015). In particular, the incidence is higher in premenopausal versus post-menopausal women, with an interesting association between the menstrual cycle and cold-modulated digital blood flow (Greenstein et al., 1996). Further analysis revealed that post-menopausal females receiving unopposed estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) are more likely to suffer from the disease than post-menopausal women that are not receiving ERT (Mayes, 1999). Together, these findings demonstrate that estrogen may explain the higher incidence in premenopausal women (Figure 2). Interestingly, in post-menopausal women receiving opposed estrogen therapy (estrogen and progesterone together), the incidence of RP was not significantly higher than that in premenopausal women (Fraenkel et al., 1998). This may suggest that progesterone negates estrogen’s effect in this context, but this remains to be established.

FIGURE 2.

Evidence of positive association between estrogen and RP. Accumulating evidence points to an overwhelming association between estrogen and RP. For instance, estrogen increases α_2C-AR but not α_2A-AR in human arteriolar smooth muscle cells. Moreover, females have higher expression of α_2C-AR than males. Epidemiologically, RP is reported to have remarkably high incidence in premenopausal females or post-menopausal females on estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

It is worth mentioning that in premenopausal females, noradrenaline-mediated vasoconstriction is higher at the mid-menstrual cycle, characterized by relatively high estrogen level, than during the early stage of the cycle (Chan et al., 2001). Moreover, human and rat females of reproductive age exhibit higher vascular responsiveness than males (Li et al., 2014). Interestingly, male vascular responsiveness is potentiated when 17β-estradiol is externally supplemented (Li et al., 2014). This implies that estrogen has a direct effect on vasoreactivity, though the mechanisms for such potentiation remain unclear.

The fundamental role of estrogen in regulating body temperature has been defined (Charkoudian and Stachenfeld, 2016). Although estrogen has a vasodilatory effect, it may in many instances decrease body temperature (Charkoudian and Stachenfeld, 2016). Since RP can be considered a vascular thermoregulatory control disorder (Flavahan, 2015), the implication of estrogen in the disease becomes obvious especially in light of the exaggerated response to cold in premenopausal women as well as the higher prevalence of RP in younger females. This is further supported by the findings of English et al. that there is a gender difference in vasomotor activities in response to estrogen, and that this difference may be a critical contributor to the etiology of vasospastic diseases (English et al., 2001), such as RP.

Evidence indicates that estrogen increases α_2C-AR expression in VSMCs and that α_2C-AR-mediates cold-induced vasoconstriction in rat tail arteries (Eid et al., 2007). A notable finding is that among the α₂-ARs, only the α_2C-AR subtype is differentially expressed in rat tail arteries, with a remarkably greater expression in females (McNeill et al., 1999). We had also reported that in human VSMCs, estrogen does not modulate the expression of α_2A-AR (Eid et al., 2007). The Flavahan group had also established that α_2C-AR mediates the entirety of cold-induced vasoconstriction. We then hypothesized and later confirmed that estrogen indeed increases the expression, surface-localization, and function of α_2C-AR (Eid et al., 2007). This estrogen-induced activity of α_2C-AR was followed by a potentiated cold-induced vasoconstrictive response in mouse tail arteries (Eid et al., 2007). Collectively, these pieces of evidence highlight a positive association between estrogen and RP.

RP and Genetic Background

As mentioned earlier, RP is either idiopathic, or secondary to another disease like scleroderma. There have been some speculations that genetic predisposition may be a contributor to the onset of this disease (Tan and Arnett, 2000) (Figure 3). However, sequencing results showed no mutations in candidate genes that are suspected to play a role in the etiology of the disease (Susol et al., 2000). These candidate genes are the beta subunit of the muscle acetylcholine receptor and the serotonin 1B and 1E receptors (Susol et al., 2000). Nonetheless, others continued to suggest that there is a genetic factor contributing to the prevalence of this disease (Pistorius et al., 2006). This assertion is supported by familial studies and twin analysis (Pistorius et al., 2006). Recently, there was a reported case of a 1 month male baby diagnosed with RP (Sharathkumar and Castillo-Caro, 2011). In light of this case, it was speculated that there could be a genetic basis of the disease. However, much evidence remains lacking before a strong causative link between genetics and RP can be affirmed.

FIGURE 3.

Genetic basis of RP. The genetic basis of RP is supported by familial studies and twin analysis in addition to a reported case of a 1-month male baby diagnosed with the disease. Furthermore, a combination of positive genotypes for both genes encoding glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 subtypes may have a role in susceptibility to RP. Linkage analysis pinpointed five areas corresponding to three candidate genes (β-subunit of muscle acetylcholine receptor, 1E and 1B serotonin receptors) which could be associated to RP.

Interestingly, studies of RP patients that were exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) suggest that the interaction between a certain genetic background and environmental conditions may play a role in increasing the onset of RP in VCM-exposed individuals (Fontana et al., 2006). In 2006, Fontana et al. (2006) investigated whether there is an association between polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 genes and RP patients exposed to VCM (Fontana et al., 2006). The results showed that the combination of positive genotypes for both genes may increase susceptibility to RP (Fontana et al., 2006). In another study, using 298 microsatellite markers, a two-stage whole genome screen of six extended families having at least three RP patients in each family was undertaken (Susol et al., 2000). Linkage analysis identified five chromosomal areas of possible linkage. These were mapped to three candidate genes (β-subunit of muscle acetylcholine receptor, 1E and 1B serotonin receptors) which could be associated with RP (Susol et al., 2000). This provides evidence of a genetic basis for RP susceptibility. The fact that five possible linkages were highlighted indicates that RP may be an oligogenic rather than monogenic condition. However, more research is needed to ascertain this suggestion, since some of the findings reported may be false positives (Susol et al., 2000). It would, therefore, be interesting to screen in a large pool of RP patients, for mutations or SNPs in these candidate genes.

Toxicological Basis of RP

Many of the heightened vasoreactivity responses observed in RP are due to either sympathetic or local causes. Stressors such as cold temperatures or emotional anxieties fall under the sympathetic category, since they cause vasoconstriction via noradrenaline. On the other hand, mechanical and chemical stresses fall under the “local” category since they directly affect a body organ that will show symptoms of the disease. A prominent body area that could be affected by these “local” insults would be the digits. Prolonged exposure to vibration at the level of the hand and arm is an example of mechanical stress. Also known as vibration-induced white finger, this hand-arm vibration syndrome is indeed one form of secondary RP that is due to occupational hazards (White et al., 2004). Continuous insults of the hand and arm by vibrating machines can prime these organs for increased vasospastic attacks upon a thermal or emotional stress. With the progression of this condition, such vibration can cause increased digital vasospasm even at room temperature (White et al., 2004). Therefore, it is not surprising that vascular symptoms are highly prevalent among workers whose job requires handling vibrating tools (White et al., 2004).

One of the prominent examples of chemical stressors in RP is VCM. This monomer is a colorless gas used in the manufacturing of plastic, particularly poly vinyl chloride (PVC). Interestingly, almost one third of workers exposed to PVC suffer from RP (Maricq et al., 1978). Angiography of these patients’ hands showed vascular tone changes and vascular lesions such as narrowing of the digital arteries (Falappa et al., 1982). This is not surprising since angiographic and capillaroscopic examinations have shown that exposure to VCM is toxic for the endothelium (Maricq et al., 1976; Falappa et al., 1982). Furthermore, exposure to VCM was shown to significantly contribute to acroosteolysis of distal phalanges of hands, which was recurrently associated with symptoms of RP (Wilson et al., 1967). Indeed, and as mentioned earlier, a higher prevalence of RP among French workers exposed to PVC was reported (Fontana et al., 2006). Taken together, these observations support the notion that a persistent toxic effect of polyvinyl chloride can contribute to the onset and pathogenesis of RP.

There are other chemical compounds or even medicinal drugs that are linked to the onset of RP. Some examples include arsenic, nicotine, and the drug gemcitabine. Indeed, a positive correlation seems to exist between Arsenic and RP. A study in Chile shows that increased prevalence of signs and symptoms of peripheral vascular disease, including RP, are associated with Arsenic-contaminated drinking water (Nordberg et al., 2014). Contextually, Arsenic-exposed smelter workers exhibit heightened vasospastic reactivity in the fingers, reminiscent of RP (Lagerkvist et al., 1986; Hall, 2002; William and Markowitz, 2007). Together, these findings provide some evidence of arsenic being a player in the etiology of RP.

Smoking has been long found to positively associate with RP (Garner et al., 2015). Moreover, nicotine, one main constituent in tobacco, is known to significantly decrease blood flow and increase vascular resistance (Cardelli and Kleinsmith, 1989). It is thus not surprising that nicotine can exacerbate symptoms of RP (Cherniack et al., 2000; Jackson, 2006), so much so that avoiding nicotine has been suggested as one element in the treatment of RP of the nipple (Anderson et al., 2004).

Some drugs such as gemcitabine, a nucleoside analog used in chemotherapy (Carmichael, 1998), could evoke symptoms reminiscent of RP (Yamada et al., 2014). Indeed, when orally administered, it appears to cause pain, swelling, and whitening of the digits, all of which are typical of RP (Carmichael, 1998). Indeed, a case of RP and digital necrosis after receiving gemcitabine for bladder cancer has been reported (D’Alessandro et al., 2003). Furthermore, a scleroderma patient developed digital ischemia after receiving a combined treatment with gemcitabine and carboplatin (Clowse and Wigley, 2003). Interestingly, the association of gemcitabine chemotherapy with digital ischemic events appear to be more common than previously suspected, especially in patients with tobacco-associated cancers (Kuhar et al., 2010). While the mechanisms for this gemcitabine-induced vascular insult remain unclear, it is proposed that endothelial damage as well as thrombotic microangiopathy (Venat-Bouvet et al., 2003; Holstein et al., 2010) may be contributing factors. It is important to note that this gemcitabine-associated vascular toxicity is rather pronounced in scleroderma patients. Similarly, exacerbations of RP symptoms were found to be associated with fluoropyrimidine, namely capecitabine, therapy (Coward et al., 2005). As such, caution should be taken when administering chemotherapeutic agents, especially gemcitabine, to scleroderma or RP patients.

Chemotherapeutic agents, other than gemcitabine, have also been associated with RP. For instance, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide-induced scleroderma cases mostly present with diffuse sclerosis and RP (Saif et al., 2016). Moreover, vincristine-induced dose-dependent RP has been reported (Gottschling et al., 2004). Interestingly, a higher prevalence of RP is noted when cisplatin is combined with vinblastine (Vogelzang et al., 1981). Whether the neurotoxic effects of these drugs underpins the increase RP prevalence remains poorly determined. It has been suggested that hyperreactivity in the sympathetic outflow may be an underlying cause (Chant, 1987; Olsen et al., 1987). However, this cannot exclude the possibility that a direct effect on the vasculature of terminal arterioles is also possible, especially that the entirety of cold-induced vasoconstriction is mediated by vascular α2C-AR, independently of any contribution from the endothelial or the sympathetic nervous system (Kristensen, 1979; Eid et al., 2007, 2008; Wigley and Flavahan, 2016).

Epidemiologic data derived from a long-term study involving combined treatment with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin chemotherapy showed that 35–45% of these treated patients developed RP (Hansen and Olsen, 1989). Bleomycin, in particular, appears to be the key player in the development of RP in these patients. Indeed, findings of a recent large cross-sectional study showed that the only significant predictor of persistent RP at follow-up after chemotherapy was the bleomycin dose (Glendenning et al., 2010).

Treatment of RP

Significant efforts have been undertaken to better understand and treat RP (Lee et al., 2014; Poredos and Poredos, 2016). However, no definitive or specific therapy for this disease has yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Landry, 2013). One of the limiting factors in the war against this disease in the incomplete understanding of its pathophysiology (Landry, 2013), which is further compounded by the lack of appropriate animal models for RP. Moreover, a treatment regimen efficacy may depend on the severity and type of the disease, as well as on the degree of vascular damage. Despite that, some medications or treatment options that are thought to alleviate symptoms of the disease are being employed in the clinic. These options can be collectively classified into traditional pharmacological, ethno-pharmacological, non-traditional treatments, and most recently surgical intervention (Table 1).

Table 1.

Various lines of treatment of Raynaud’s disease.

	Treatment	Effectiveness	Reference
Traditional treatment	Calcium channel blockers	Effective; first-line of treatment	Halawa, 2001; Thompson and Pope, 2005
	PTK inhibitors	Efficient	Furspan et al., 2004, 2005
	PDE5 inhibitors	Inefficient	Lee et al., 2014
	Beta-blockers	Controversial	Marshall et al., 1976 Koltringer et al., 1991
	Statins	Emerging/powerful	Abou-Raya et al., 2008
	Prostacyclins	Efficient	Rademaker et al., 1987
	ACE inhibitors	Variable effect	Henness and Wigley, 2007
	Endothelin receptor antagonists	Variable effect	Poredos and Poredos, 2016
	Serotonin receptor antagonists	Effective	Coleiro et al., 2001
Non-Traditional treatment	Botulinum toxin type A	Efficient	Neumeister et al., 2014
	Chinese herb	Ineffective	Wu et al., 2008
	Ginkgo biloba	Ineffective	Muir et al., 2002
	Acupuncture	Efficient	Appiah et al., 1997
	Laser therapy	Efficient	Hirschl et al., 2004
Surgery	Thoracic sympathectomy	Effective	Coveliers et al., 2011
	Hand stripping	Effective	Balogh et al., 2002
	Nerve stimulation	effective	Kaada, 1982
	Fat grafting	Encouraging results	Bank et al., 2014

A summary of the traditional and non-traditional therapies, as well as some surgical interventions.

Traditional pharmacological drugs alleviate RP symptoms by reducing vasoconstriction, inducing vasodilatory effect, or by a yet unclear mechanism. Drugs used for a vasodilatory effect include calcium channel blockers, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, prostacyclins, prostaglandin analogs, and alpha-1 blockers. Calciumchannel blockers are the most common and preferred first-line treatment (Halawa, 2001; Thompson and Pope, 2005). However, in the most recent and highly comprehensive Cochrane review where seven randomized trials involving 296 patients were analyzed, it was concluded that oral calcium channel blockers are relatively ineffective in the treatment of primary RP. Authors of this important review conclude that evidence does not support a role of these blockers in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks (Ennis et al., 2016). This is somewhat inconsistent with an earlier meta-analysis which suggested some, albeit small, efficacy of these blockers in reducing the severity of RP attacks (Thompson and Pope, 2005). However, authors of this paper highlighted the notion that most of the trials included in their meta-analysis were crossover studies that did not determine order effect, thus likely introducing some bias (Thompson and Pope, 2005). cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitors have been used as well (Caglayan et al., 2006). Indeed, in an open-label pilot study involving 40 patients, it was found that digital flow was significantly improved in RP patients receiving the PDE V inhibitor, vardenafil, treatment (Caglayan et al., 2006). Consistently with this, it was also found that PDE5 inhibitors decrease vasospastic attacks and improve digital blood flow (Lee et al., 2014). Indeed, this efficacy of PDE5 inhibitor was reported in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study involving 29 patients that were divided into two groups. One group received udenafil, a PDE V inhibitor, and the other a calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, over a period of 4 weeks. Both treatments showed comparable efficacy in RP treatment in regard to decreasing the severity of vasospastic attacks (Lee et al., 2014). In addition, patients receiving the PDE V inhibitor showed better digital blood flow when compared to those receiving amlodipine (Lee et al., 2014).

Prostanoids are reported to decrease the severity and frequency of vasospastic attacks in RP patients. Their efficacy has been consistently reported in systematic reviews, meta-analyses as well as in multiple randomized clinical trials (Clifford et al., 1980; Mohrland et al., 1985; Wigley et al., 1994; Pope et al., 2000; Scorza et al., 2001; Milio et al., 2006; Kawald et al., 2008). For instance, iloprost, a prostacyclin analog was used to treat 13 patients with RP. In addition to reducing ulcerating lesions, iloprost also caused improvement in blood flow in these patients (Rademaker et al., 1987). Moreover, in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, it was found that buflomedil causes a reduction in the frequency of attacks, but with no effect on Raynaud severity score (Le Quentrec and Lefebvre, 1991). On the other hand, a Cochrane review concluded that evidence does not support a benefit for beraprost, ketanserin, dazoxiben, and moxisylyte in ameliorating frequency duration or severity of attacks (Stewart and Morling, 2012). However, the authors of this review indicated that the precision of their conclusion is affected by the fact that most of the studies included in their review are poorly designed or executed

Angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitors, PTK (protein tyrosine kinase) inhibitors, and endothelin receptor antagonists (ETRAs) are also employed in the treatment of RP owing to their ability to reduce vasoconstriction. A clinical trial reported that losartan (50 mg) causes a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of spastic episodes (Dziadzio et al., 1999). The therapeutic benefit of using ACE inhibitors in the management of RP seems to be variable (Henness and Wigley, 2007). Some studies have reported that they may have minor benefits, albeit to a lesser extent than traditional therapies (Wood and Ernst, 2006). Indeed, it is not recommended that angiotensin receptor blockers be replaces with ACE inhibitors for the treatment of RP (Linnemann and Erbe, 2016). It is important to note here that although enalapril and captopril are reported to reduce the number of attacks in primary RP, they do not appear to be effective in reducing these attacks in secondary RP (Tosi et al., 1987; Janini et al., 1988). Moreover, in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 210 patients, quinapril treatment for up to 3 years did not show any beneficial effects in reducing the severity of frequency of attacks (Gliddon et al., 2007). The increased phosphorylation of PTK is associated with the α_2C-AR-mediated vasoconstriction, thus PTK inhibitors may be used to reverse the contractile response to cooling, as these studies show that PTK phosphorylation is higher in RP patients arterioles in comparison to ctrl arterioles (Furspan et al., 2004, 2005). However, future studies must be done on this interesting type of treatment.

One of the early events thought to play a role in the vasculopathy of scleroderma is endothelial injury. Because such injury leads to increased release of the potent vasoconstrictor, endothlin-1, it was thought that blocking endothelin signaling and function could play a beneficial role in the treatment of systemic scleroderma (SSc) and the associated secondary RP. When ETRAs were employed, not all patients responded positively; nonetheless, these antagonists were able to at least alleviate the severity and frequency of vasospastic attacks (Poredos and Poredos, 2016). Several studies have looked at the effect of ETRAs in the treatment of SSc-associated RP. In 2006, the first prospective study investigating the potential benefit of ETRAs in RP was published (Selenko-Gebauer et al., 2006). The patients involved in this study received bosentan for 16-week, after which it was found that severity of RP attacks was significantly reduced. Another observational study also reported that after a median of 8 weeks of treatment with bosentan, severity of RP was also reduced (Funauchi et al., 2009). Whether beta blockers have a therapeutic value remains controversial. One studies involving 102 patients report that the beta blockers Propranolol, Oxprenolol, and Atenolol disturb the microcirculation causing RP as a side effect (Marshall et al., 1976). Consistent with this, a meta-analysis of 13 studies suggests that the use of beta blockers is associated with higher incidence of RP (Mohokum et al., 2012). On the other hand, other reports suggest that beta blockers could be beneficial particularly because of their ability to reduce blood viscosity (Koltringer et al., 1991). In this study, half of the 40 participants involved received metoprolol, and showed reduced blood viscosity compared to the control group. Interestingly, a combination treatment of beta blockers (metoprolol) with calcium channel inhibitors (felodipin) was shown to be very effective in reducing symptoms of RP (Csiki et al., 2011).

There are other drugs that appear to have a potential for use in the management of RP. These include statins (Abou-Raya et al., 2008) and serotonin receptor antagonists (Coleiro et al., 2001). Although their mechanism of action is not fully clear, they appear to retard vascular injury, lessen severity, and reduce pain associated with RP.

A recent report discussed the potential benefit of using a rather non-traditional approach for the treatment of RP. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) can be locally injected to improve ulcerated digits and alleviate the associated pain (Neumeister et al., 2014). This improvement may be due to better perfusion and improved vascularity; however, the exact mechanism remains unknown. Notably, studies have shown that the use of BTX-A could be safe and efficient (Neumeister et al., 2014). In a recent retrospective study, it was shown that local injection of BTX-A provides great improvement in artery flow velocity, surface temperature, ulcer, and other clinical symptoms (as measured by visual analog scale; Zhang et al., 2015). Others have also reported similar beneficial effects of BTX-A in the management of RP (Smith et al., 2012; Zhao and Lian, 2015). However, despite all these interesting and promising results, a recent systemic review concludes that evidence to support the efficacy of BTX-A in the management of RP remains insufficient. As such, further research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is needed to better determine the potential efficacy of this interesting approach.

It is worth mentioning that in some patients, the aforementioned pharmacological drugs may cause several side effects such as headaches and dizziness. As such, many patients resort to alternative therapies in the hope of avoiding such undesired side effects. Herbal therapies are one common approach. Of particular interest in the management of RP is Ginkgo biloba plant extracts (Muir et al., 2002) or a combination of two Chinese herbal medications, Duhuo-Tisheng Tang and Danggui-Sini Tang (Wu et al., 2008). However, contradictory reports suggest that that digital vascular response of RP patients receiving this therapy was not changed in patients consuming the above herbal combination (Appiah et al., 1997; Hirschl et al., 2004; Wu et al., 2008). Acupuncture has also be employed in the management of RP. Indeed, a randomized controlled prospective study concluded that traditional Chinese acupuncture appears to be an effective approach in relieving symptoms, particularly attack frequency, of primary RP (Appiah et al., 1997). Others have also reported that auricular electroacupuncture could be helpful in reducing severity and frequency of RP attacks (Schlager et al., 2011). However, meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature does not conclusively support the use of acupuncture in the management of RP (Malenfant et al., 2009; Huisstede et al., 2011).

Laser therapy has also received some attention. A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study involving 48 patients shows that low level laser therapy could reduce frequency and severity of RP attacks (Hirschl et al., 2004). Findings of this study are consistent with those of another double-blind study that appeared in the same year (al-Awami et al., 2004). High-peak power laser treatment has also been reported to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks in a patient suffering from Scleroderma and RP (St Surin-Lord and Obagi, 2011).

It is important to note that surgical therapies may be considered as an option of treatment (Landry, 2013). These therapies include thoracic sympathectomy, hand stripping, and nerve stimulation (Kaada, 1982; Balogh et al., 2002; Coveliers et al., 2011). Although invasive, these are considered to be successful in pain reduction and ulcer healing (Landry, 2013). Finally, fat grafting in the patient’s hands is a new and rather unconventional surgical therapy for RP patients (Bank et al., 2014). This novel treatment originated from clinical improvements observed after fat grafting in hands suffering from burns and radiation dermatitis (Rigotti et al., 2007). When it was later “tested” on a group of RP patients, the results were encouraging and included alleviation of pain, decrease of ulcers, and decline in cold attacks (Bank et al., 2014). Although the mechanism by which fat grafting caused these effects is largely unclear, it is hypothesized that pathways involving neoangiogenesis and stem cells are likely implicated (Bank et al., 2014).

The variability of the treatments and their altered efficacies calls for urgent and concerted efforts to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, as well as to develop more targeted and efficient drugs. These drugs may include blockers of α_2-ARs as well as inhibitors of PTKs and Rho kinase (Lambova and Muller-Ladner, 2009). Indeed, the first proof of concept for ameliorating RP attacks by blocking α₂-ARs came from a study by Freedman et al. (1995). This paper showed that yohimbine, α₂-AR antagonist, but not prazosin, α₁-AR antagonist, can significantly attenuate vasospastic attacks of RP. More specifically, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study investigated the efficacy of OPC-28326, a selective α-AR antagonist with preferential binding to the α_2C-AR subtype, in recovery from cold-induced vasospasm in secondary RP patients. This study showed that OPC-28326 is able to improve digital blood flow after acute cold challenge in patients with RP secondary to scleroderma (Wise et al., 2004). Another phase II, randomized, double-blind, crossover, single-dose, placebo-controlled, study also tested the efficacy of ORM-12741, a potent α_2C-AR antagonist. Interestingly, findings of this study were unexpected in that ORM-12741 prolonged, rather than shortened, the duration of the cold-induced constriction of digital arteries evident by delayed rewarming after a cold challenge (Herrick et al., 2014). The reasons for this rather unexpected result remain unclear and thus, further research is warranted to better understand the intriguing biology of α_2C-AR especially as it related to RP pathophysiology.

Conclusion and Perspectives

Despite the exponentially growing research and biomedical advances, a definitive and curative treatment for RP still poses a real and elusive challenge. Although many aspects and factors contributing to this disease have been dissected, the molecular mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of RP still require further investigations. This is, in no small part, due to the multifactorial etiology (hormonal, neuronal, and endothelial) of the disease. Another challenge is the absence of an appropriate animal model of the disease. The fact that α_2C-AR is expressed in many brain regions such as the olfactory bulb and the cerebral cortex further complicates the hunt for an RP-specific drug. This is especially challenging because α_2C-ARs are also implicated in presynaptic regulation of the heart. Thus, targeting α_2C-ARs in an attempt to treat RP would not be most suitable, since it will affect the heart and brain as well. However, it is tempting to speculate that applying topical creams containing α_2C-ARs blockers to affected body parts could be beneficial, and likely with fewer side effects. However, rigorous basic research and clinical trials are needed to support this suggestion. So far, precaution is often effective in reducing cold-induced vasospastic attacks of RP.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to the writing. AHE conceived, designed, and revised the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.