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Scleral hypoxia is a target for myopia control.

ABSTRACT: Worldwide, myopia is the leading cause of visual impairment. It results from inappropriate extension of the ocular axis and concomitant declines in scleral strength and thickness caused by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. However, the identities of the initiators and signaling pathways that induce scleral ECM remodeling in myopia are unknown. Here, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing to identify pathways activated in the sclera during myopia development. We found that the hypoxia-signaling, the eIF2-signaling, and mTOR-signaling pathways were activated in murine myopic sclera. Consistent with the role of hypoxic pathways in mouse model of myopia, nearly one third of human myopia risk genes from the genome-wide association study and linkage analyses interact with genes in the hypoxia-inducible factor-1? (HIF-1?)-signaling pathway. Furthermore, experimental myopia selectively induced HIF-1? up-regulation in the myopic sclera of both mice and guinea pigs. Additionally, hypoxia exposure (5% O2) promoted myofibroblast transdifferentiation with down-regulation of type I collagen in human scleral fibroblasts. Importantly, the antihypoxia drugs salidroside and formononetin down-regulated HIF-1? expression as well as the phosphorylation levels of eIF2? and mTOR, slowing experimental myopia progression without affecting normal ocular growth in guinea pigs. Furthermore, eIF2? phosphorylation inhibition suppressed experimental myopia, whereas mTOR phosphorylation induced myopia in normal mice. Collectively, these findings defined an essential role of hypoxia in scleral ECM remodeling and myopia development, suggesting a therapeutic approach to control myopia by ameliorating hypoxia.

SUBMITTER: Wu H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6064999 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Scleral hypoxia is a target for myopia control.

Wu Hao H Chen Wei W Zhao Fei F Zhou Qingyi Q Reinach Peter S PS Deng Lili L Ma Li L Luo Shumeng S Srinivasalu Nethrajeith N Pan Miaozhen M Hu Yang Y Pei Xiaomeng X Sun Jing J Ren Ran R Xiong Yinghui Y Zhou Zhonglou Z Zhang Sen S Tian Geng G Fang Jianhuo J Zhang Lina L Lang Jidong J Wu Deng D Zeng Changqing C Qu Jia J Zhou Xiangtian X

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20180709 30

Worldwide, myopia is the leading cause of visual impairment. It results from inappropriate extension of the ocular axis and concomitant declines in scleral strength and thickness caused by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. However, the identities of the initiators and signaling pathways that induce scleral ECM remodeling in myopia are unknown. Here, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing to identify pathways activated in the sclera during myopia development. We found that the hypoxia-signaling, ...[more]

PMID: 29987045

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Project description:PurposeMicroRNA (miRNAs) have been previously implicated in scleral remodeling in normal eye growth. They have the potential to be therapeutic targets for prevention/retardation of exaggerated eye growth in myopia by modulating scleral matrix remodeling. To explore this potential, genome-wide miRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) scleral profiles in myopic and control eyes from mice were studied.MethodsC57BL/6J mice (n = 7; P28) reared under a 12L:12D cycle were form-deprived (FD) unilaterally for 2 weeks. Refractive error and axial length changes were measured using photorefraction and 1310-nm spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, respectively. Scleral RNA samples from FD and fellow control eyes were processed for microarray assay. Statistical analyses were performed using National Institute of Aging array analysis tool; group comparisons were made using ANOVA, and gene ontologies were identified using software available on the Web. Findings were confirmed using quantitative PCR in a separate group of mice (n = 7).ResultsForm-deprived eyes showed myopic shifts in refractive error (-2.02 ± 0.47 D; P < 0.01). Comparison of the scleral RNA profiles of test eyes with those of control eyes revealed 54 differentially expressed miRNAs and 261 mRNAs fold-change >1.25 (maximum fold change = 1.63 and 2.7 for miRNAs and mRNAs, respectively) (P < 0.05; minimum, P = 0.0001). Significant ontologies showing gene over-representation (P < 0.05) included intermediate filament organization, scaffold protein binding, detection of stimuli, calcium ion, G protein, and phototransduction. Significant differential expression of Let-7a and miR-16-2, and Smok4a, Prph2, and Gnat1 were confirmed.ConclusionsScleral mi- and mRNAs showed differential expression linked to myopia, supporting the involvement of miRNAs in eye growth regulation. The observed general trend of relatively small fold-changes suggests a tightly controlled, regulatory mechanism for scleral gene expression.

Project description:PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of atropine on the development of spectacle lens induced myopia in the mouse and to determine if the level of mRNAs for the muscarinic receptor subtypes (M(1) - M(5)) is affected by atropine treatment. METHODS: Experimental myopia was developed in Balb/CJ (BJ) mice by placing -10 diopter spectacle lens on post-natal day 10 over the right eyes of 150 mice (n=10 in each group, 5 repetitions) for six weeks. After 2 weeks of lens wearing, the atropine group received a daily sub-conjunctival injection (10 µl) of 1% atropine sulfate and the saline group received daily 10 µl of 0.9% normal saline for 4 weeks. In addition, myopia was developed in C57BL/6 (B6) mice by placing -10 D spectacle lens on post-natal day 10 over the right eyes of 60 mice (n=10 in each group, 2 repetitions) for six weeks with and without atropine treatment. Refraction and axial length was measured at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after treatments. RT-PCR and northern blots were performed using specific primers for M(1)-M(5), and products sequenced. Real-time PCR was used to quantify message levels. RESULTS: Axial length of myopic eyes was 111% of their controls without atropine treatment and 103% of controls after atropine (p<0.01). Refraction shifted from myopic to emmetropic after atropine was administered in both pigmented and non-pigmented eyes. Corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, corneal curvature and retinal thickness were not significantly different with and without atropine treatment (p=0.14). The lens thickness and vitreous chamber depth were significantly reduced after receiving atropine (p<0.05). Real-time PCR showed that message levels for M(1), M(3), and M(4) were upregulated in myopic sclera after atropine treatment, but M(2) and M(5) showed little change. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that 1% atropine reduces myopia progression in both pigmented and non-pigmented mice eyes. Axial length and vitreous chamber depth appear to be the main morphological parameters related to myopia. The results suggest that atropine may act on one or more muscarinic receptors to differentially regulate expression levels of specific receptors.

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Scleral hypoxia is a target for myopia control.

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Scleral hypoxia is a target for myopia control.

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