From MC1R to MC5R, a new horizon for the podoprotective effect of melanocortin

Abstract

The successful use of adrenocorticotropic hormone in treating proteinuric glomerulopathies attached new importance to the melanocortin receptors. While MC1R was originally identified as the receptor mediating melanocortins’ podoprotection, Chen et al.’s work in this issue highlights the role of MC5R in maintaining podocyte integrity in the face of stressors, by modulating glycogen synthase kinase-3 β signaling. These findings fill in a gap about melanocortin signaling in podocytes, supporting the therapeutic potential of MC5R agonism, while prompting questions for discussion.