The role of transforming growth factor beta in myopia development.

Feb 12, 2024

Experts: Hsiangyu Ku, Jamie Jiin-Yi Chen, Wei Chen, Peng-Tai Tien, Hui-Ju Lin, Lei Wan, Gezhi Xu

Myopia is widely recognized as an epidemic. Studies have found a link between Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) and myopia, but the specific molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, a monocular model in tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) was established to verify the molecular mechanism of TGF-β in myopia. The results indicated that there were significant changes in TGF-βs during the treatment of myopia, which could enhance the refractive ability and axial length of the eye. Immunohistochemical staining, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and immunoblotting results showed a significant upregulation of MMP2 and NF-κB levels, and a significant downregulation of COL-I expression in the TGF-β treated eyes, suggesting that NF-κB and MMP2 are involved in the signaling pathways of TGF-βs induced myopia and axial elongation. Moreover, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, IL-1β, TNF-α, TAK1, and NF-κB in the retina were all significantly elevated. This indicates that TGF-β stimulates the inflammatory response of retinal pigment epithelial cells through the TAK1-NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study suggests that TGF-β promotes the progression of myopia by enhancing intraocular inflammation.
Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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ABOUT THE EXPERTS

Hsiangyu Ku, Jamie Jiin-Yi Chen, Wei Chen, Peng-Tai Tien, Hui-Ju Lin, Lei Wan, Gezhi Xu

Hsiangyu Ku

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031 China; Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, China.

Jamie Jiin-Yi Chen

Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Wei Chen

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031 China.

Peng-Tai Tien

Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Hui-Ju Lin

Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Lei Wan

School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: lei.joseph@gmail.com.

Gezhi Xu

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200031 China. Electronic address: drxugezhi@163.com.