Li Xiaomeng, Liu Xiaojing, Yu Yingxin, Li Tuling, Guo Lijie, Hu Guili, Wei Huixia, Yang Zhaohui, Liu Jinpeng, Hao Yixian, Zhang Ruixue, Wu Qiuxin, Liao Xuan, Guo Dadong, Bi Hongsheng
Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China.
School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 11;15(1):12476. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-97643-7.
The present study aimed to investigate the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in scleral remodeling in the development of negative lens-induced myopia (LIM). The change of scleral morphology in experimental myopic guinea pigs was observed by transmission electron microscopy, Masson staining, and TUNEL assay, respectively. Meanwhile, the levels of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway- and scleral remodeling-related molecules in scleral tissues were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical staining, and western blot, respectively. We found that 2-week myopic induction can elevate PIK3R3 and AKT2 levels and activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, enhance the expression of E-cadherin and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), and decrease the level of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2), and collagen (COLI) in the scleral tissue of myopic guinea pigs, thereby leading to scleral remolding. However, 4-week myopic induction could inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induce apoptosis, accompanied by increased MMP2, E-cadherin, and decreased TGF-β1, TIMP2, and COLI. Results reveal that the disturbed PI3K/AKT signaling plays a role in scleral remodeling in the experimental myopia through orchestrating apoptosis.
本研究旨在探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)信号通路在负性透镜诱导性近视(LIM)发展过程中巩膜重塑中的作用。分别通过透射电子显微镜、Masson染色和TUNEL检测观察实验性近视豚鼠巩膜形态的变化。同时,分别采用实时定量聚合酶链反应(qPCR)、酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)、免疫荧光、免疫组织化学染色和蛋白质免疫印迹法测定巩膜组织中PI3K/AKT信号通路及巩膜重塑相关分子的水平。我们发现,2周的近视诱导可提高PIK3R3和AKT2水平,激活PI3K/Akt信号通路,增强E-钙黏蛋白和基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP2)的表达,并降低近视豚鼠巩膜组织中转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-2(TIMP2)和胶原蛋白(COLI)的水平,从而导致巩膜重塑。然而,4周的近视诱导可抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路并诱导细胞凋亡,同时MMP2和E-钙黏蛋白增加,TGF-β1、TIMP2和COLI减少。结果表明,紊乱的PI3K/AKT信号通路通过调控细胞凋亡在实验性近视的巩膜重塑中发挥作用。