Animal experiment:

Mice[1]Human skins transplanted onto SCID mice are topically treated with vehicle or JNJ-10229570 (0.05%) for 30 days[1].

JNJ-10229570 is an antagonist of melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) and melanocortin receptor 5 (MC5R), which inhibits sebaceous gland differentiation and the production of sebum-specific lipids. JNJ-10229570 inhibits the binding of 125I-NDP-α-MSH to cells expressing human MC1R and MC5R, with IC50 values of 270 nM and 200 nM, respectively.

JNJ-10229570 dose dependently inhibits the production of sebaceous lipids in cultured primary human sebocytes. JNJ-7818369 inhibits the binding of 125I-NDP-α-MSH to cells expressing human MC1R and MC5R, with IC50s of 270±120 and 200±50 nM, respectively. Nearly-identical results are obtained with the free base form of the compound. Binding to MC4R of both forms of the compound is equipotent, with IC50s of 240±170 nM. JNJ-10229570-treated cells show strong inhibition of lipid granules at 0.01 μM, and complete inhibition at 0.05 μM[1].

Topical treatment with JNJ-10229570 of human skins transplanted onto SCID mice result in a marked decrease in sebum-specific lipid production, sebaceous gland's size and the expression of the sebaceous differentiation marker epithelial-membrane antigen (EMA). Topical treatment with 0.05% JNJ-10229570 leads to a distinct reduction in both the steady-state and the newly-synthesized sebum-specific lipids, with lesser effects on triglycerides and cholesterol[1].

[1]. Eisinger M, et al. A melanocortin receptor 1 and 5 antagonist inhibits sebaceous gland differentiation and the production of sebum-specific lipids. J Dermatol Sci. 2011 Jul;63(1):23-32.