Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonism Demonstrates Therapeutic Potential in Experimental Models of Relevance to Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

An effective treatment strategy for early-stage diabetic retinopathy (DR) could delay or prevent disease progression and limit or eliminate irreparable retinal damage and vision loss associated with progression to later stages of DR. Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) activation strategies may provide a promising therapeutic approach to address the chronic retinal inflammation that encourages DR progression. CB2 activation therapeutically addresses leukocyte binding in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells and retinal leukostasis in diabetic mice, presumably by inhibiting nuclear factor κB-dependent transcription of adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. CB2 agonism constitutes a rational therapeutic approach for clinical application to patients with early-stage DR.