The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms
In this study, we investigate the inhibitory effects of atropine on the progression of experimental myopia by targeting the functions of the choroid and sclera and exploring its potential therapeutic mechanisms. Form deprivation myopia (FDM) was induced in C57BL/6 mice, with treatment groups receivi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| author | Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Youfang Luo |
| author_facet | Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Youfang Luo |
| author_sort | Longxiang Huang |
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| description | In this study, we investigate the inhibitory effects of atropine on the progression of experimental myopia by targeting the functions of the choroid and sclera and exploring its potential therapeutic mechanisms. Form deprivation myopia (FDM) was induced in C57BL/6 mice, with treatment groups receiving atropine. We assessed the effects on ocular morphology, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, choroidal and scleral thickness, and choroidal vascular index (CVI) through histopathology, immunofluorescence, and quantitative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In vitro, mouse scleral fibroblasts (MSFs) were treated with Na2S2O4 to induce hypoxia, followed by atropine treatment. Atropine treatment significantly reduced axial elongation and ECM remodeling in FDM mice, as indicated by a decrease in collagen volume fraction. It restored choroidal and scleral thickness and increased CVI, suggesting improved microcirculation. Atropine also modulated ECM protein expression and reduced the hypoxia marker Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α). In vitro, atropine protected MSFs from hypoxia-induced damage, preserved cytoskeletal integrity, and modulated key signaling pathways, including P53 and β-catenin. These findings suggest that atropine holds promise for controlling myopia progression by improving choroidal microcirculation, reducing scleral hypoxia, and regulating ECM remodeling, supporting its therapeutic application in myopia management. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae5c8268260b446099d908c3bee6b1ed2025-08-20T03:42:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-03-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15091961509196The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanismsLongxiang Huang0Longxiang Huang1Longxiang Huang2Longxiang Huang3Jingjin Zhang4Jingjin Zhang5Jingjin Zhang6Jingjin Zhang7Youfang Luo8Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Institute of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Institute of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Provincial Clinical Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases and Optometry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, Fuzhou Second General Hospital, Fuzhou, ChinaIn this study, we investigate the inhibitory effects of atropine on the progression of experimental myopia by targeting the functions of the choroid and sclera and exploring its potential therapeutic mechanisms. Form deprivation myopia (FDM) was induced in C57BL/6 mice, with treatment groups receiving atropine. We assessed the effects on ocular morphology, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, choroidal and scleral thickness, and choroidal vascular index (CVI) through histopathology, immunofluorescence, and quantitative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In vitro, mouse scleral fibroblasts (MSFs) were treated with Na2S2O4 to induce hypoxia, followed by atropine treatment. Atropine treatment significantly reduced axial elongation and ECM remodeling in FDM mice, as indicated by a decrease in collagen volume fraction. It restored choroidal and scleral thickness and increased CVI, suggesting improved microcirculation. Atropine also modulated ECM protein expression and reduced the hypoxia marker Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α). In vitro, atropine protected MSFs from hypoxia-induced damage, preserved cytoskeletal integrity, and modulated key signaling pathways, including P53 and β-catenin. These findings suggest that atropine holds promise for controlling myopia progression by improving choroidal microcirculation, reducing scleral hypoxia, and regulating ECM remodeling, supporting its therapeutic application in myopia management.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1509196/fullatropinemyopiachoroidal microcirculationscleral hypoxiaextracellular matrix remodeling |
| spellingShingle | Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Longxiang Huang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Jingjin Zhang Youfang Luo The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms Frontiers in Pharmacology atropine myopia choroidal microcirculation scleral hypoxia extracellular matrix remodeling |
| title | The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms |
| title_full | The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms |
| title_fullStr | The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms |
| title_short | The role of atropine in myopia control: insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms |
| title_sort | role of atropine in myopia control insights into choroidal and scleral mechanisms |
| topic | atropine myopia choroidal microcirculation scleral hypoxia extracellular matrix remodeling |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1509196/full |
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