FT011, a Novel Cardiorenal Protective Drug, Reduces Inflammation, Gliosis and Vascular Injury in Rats with Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy features inflammation as well as injury to glial cells and the microvasculature, which are influenced by hypertension and overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system. FT011 is an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agent that has been reported to attenuate organ damage in diabetic rats with cardiomyopathy and nephropathy. However, the potential therapeutic utility of FT011 for diabetic retinopathy has not been evaluated.

Prorenin stimulates a pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory response in retinal endothelial cells and an M1 phenotype in retinal microglia.

Angiogenesis and inflammation are causative factors in the development of neovascular retinopathies. These processes involve the retinal endothelium and the retinal immune cells, microglia. The renin-angiotensin system contributes to retinal injury via the actions of the type 1 angiotensin receptor (AT1R).