Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (Jun 2023)

Topical and systemic GLP-1R agonist administration both rescue retinal ganglion cells in hypertensive glaucoma

  • Emily C. N. Lawrence,
  • Michelle Guo,
  • Turner D. Schwartz,
  • Jie Wu,
  • Jingwen Lu,
  • Sergei Nikonov,
  • Jacob K. Sterling,
  • Qi N. Cui

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2023.1156829
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17

Abstract

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Glaucomatous neurodegeneration, a blinding disease affecting millions worldwide, has a need for the exploration of new and effective therapies. Previously, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist NLY01 was shown to reduce microglia/macrophage activation, rescuing retinal ganglion cells after IOP elevation in an animal model of glaucoma. GLP-1R agonist use is also associated with a reduced risk for glaucoma in patients with diabetes. In this study, we demonstrate that several commercially available GLP-1R agonists, administered either systemically or topically, hold protective potential in a mouse model of hypertensive glaucoma. Further, the resulting neuroprotection likely occurs through the same pathways previously shown for NLY01. This work contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1R agonists represent a viable therapeutic option for glaucoma.

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