Palatin’s Melanocortin demonstrates therapeutic effects in diabetic retinopathy

Palatin Technologies announced The International Journal of Molecular Sciences published a manuscript that summarizes data demonstrating the effects of PL8331 in two mouse models of retinal disease, experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis – EAU – and diabetic retinopathy – DR -. Palatin and the National Institute of Health and the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Foundation provided funding for the study. Both models evaluated the efficacy of PL8331 as an agonist at the melanocortin 1 and melanocortin 5 receptors. In the EAU mouse model, PL8331 treatment resulted in resolution of inflammation and preservation of retinal structure. Specifically, PL8331 protected the retinal photoreceptors from the auto-inflammatory damage that normally occurs in the EAU model. In the DR mouse model, PL8331 treatment resulted in enhanced survival of various types of retinal cells and the suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, the retinal pigmented epithelial cells were able to maintain their normal anti-inflammatory activity. The findings from both studies clearly demonstrate the importance of the melanocortin system in protecting the eye from the damage caused by pathological inflammation and support the potential of melanocortin agonists as treatments for various retinal diseases.