Abstract
Purpose :
The molecular mechanism underlying the efficacy of the treatments currently used for myopia control remains unknown. Therefore, we aim to study the intracellular pathways implicated in the control of myopia progression by using the experimental form-deprivation myopia model. Therefore, we will identify new pharmacological targets in order to design new treatments for myopia control.
Methods :
Myopia was induced by the form-deprivation myopia model (FDM) in 4-weeks old male pigmented rabbits (n=4). After 45 days, the refractive error was confirmed by retinoscopy and topography. Sclera was harvested and processed to detect changes in protein levels in metabotropic P2Y receptors by western blot (WB) analysis. Vitreous humour, sclera and retina were processed to determine nucleotides and dinucleotides concentration by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Unpaired t-test was used for statistical analysis.
Results :
Deprived eyes developed -3.31±1.46 dioptres of myopia (p=0.044) whereas the non-deprived eyes reached the emmetropia. FDM procedure did not affect neither the ocular surface nor the intraocular pressure. Western blot analysis revealed that among the metabotropic P2Y receptors analysed, the Gq-protein coupled P2Y4 receptor showed a significant increase in its protein levels (p=0.0118) in the sclera compared to non-deprived eye. On the other hand, no significant differences were found in the Gq-protein coupled P2Y1,2,6,11 nor the Gi/o-protein coupled P2Y12,13,14 receptors. Further analysis by HPLC detected a slightly increased in the ADP, ATP and Ap5A concentration in the sclera and retina under myopic conditions. Interestingly, ATP and ADP showed an opposite concentration pattern in the vitreous humour compared to non-deprived eyes.
Conclusions :
Our results suggested that the G-protein coupled P2Y4R are altered under myopic conditions, suggesting a new intracellular pathway that could be targeted for the development of new treatments strategies for the myopia control.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.