Investigative ophthalmology & visual scienceMay 7, 2025

Stimulating GLP-1 Receptors May Reduce Eye Blood Vessel Growth by Lowering Inflammation

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jan 20, 2026

Abstract

Liraglutide significantly reduced (CNV) formation in a mouse model.

GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) was found in choroidal neovascularization lesions and was associated with activated microglia or macrophages.
signaling was detected near CNV, suggesting a link to inflammation.
Liraglutide, a GLP-1R agonist, inhibited angiogenesis in laboratory assays.
Liraglutide treatment lowered the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF, compared to healthy controls.
The effects of Liraglutide were reduced when a GLP-1R antagonist was used intravitreally, indicating the receptor's role in mediating the treatment effects.

Simplified

PURPOSE: The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a diabetes therapy target, is expressed in multiple organs and is associated with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects, particularly in cardiac and cerebral tissues. Although GLP-1's role in diabetic and ischemic retinopathies is well-studied, its influence on (CNV) in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains unclear. This study explored the effects of GLP-1 on CNV using a laser-induced mouse model.

METHODS: The anti-angiogenic effects of GLP-1 were tested using ex vivo sprouting assays in 3-week-old C57BL/6J mice. In 6-week-old mice, GLP-1R localization in laser-induced CNV lesions was analyzed via immunohistochemistry. Liraglutide, a GLP-1R agonist, was administered subcutaneously for 7 days or by single intravitreal injection post-laser. Eyeballs collected on days 1 to 7 post-laser were analyzed using RT-qPCR for GLP-1R expression and inflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS: GLP-1R-positive cells were detected in CNV lesions and were expressed in Iba-1-positive activated microglia or macrophages. They also expressed in abnormal retinal pigment epithelial cells and surrounding normal endothelial cells. NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling was observed near CNV. Liraglutide inhibited angiogenesis in ex vivo assays and significantly reduced CNV formation with both subcutaneous and intravitreal administration. Additionally, Liraglutide inhibited expression of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF expression compared with healthy controls. Intravitreal GLP-1R antagonist reduced subcutaneous effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide suppresses CNV formation, likely via inhibition. Intraocular GLP-1R appears to mediate anti-CNV effects, supporting GLP-1R agonists as potential adjunctive therapy for exudative AMD and warranting further investigation into its safety and clinical feasibility.

Key numbers

11,491 ± 5729 µm²

Decrease in Area with

area after daily subcutaneous injections of at 1000 µg/kg.

0.005

Reduction in IL-1β Expression

Significance level for IL-1β expression reduction on day 1 post-treatment.

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Stimulating GLP-1 Receptors May Reduce Eye Blood Vessel Growth by Lowering Inflammation

Abstract

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