PUBLICATION

Rhodopsin Induces Myopia via Lipid Peroxidation in Zebrafish Reared in a Dark Environment

Authors
Liu, S., Fang, W., Pei, Y., Chen, T., Li, B., Liang, Y., Lu, X., Li, J.
ID
ZDB-PUB-250511-1
Date
2025
Source
FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology   39: e70612e70612 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
4?HNE, lipid peroxidation, myopia, rhodopsin, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Darkness
  • Animals
  • Myopia*/etiology
  • Myopia*/metabolism
  • Myopia*/pathology
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
  • Apoptosis
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins*/metabolism
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium/metabolism
  • Rhodopsin*/genetics
  • Rhodopsin*/metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation*
PubMed
40347036 Full text @ FASEB J.
Abstract
Outdoor time and light intensity are important emerging factors affecting myopia; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to clarify whether a dark environment induces myopia in zebrafish and investigate the role of rhodopsin in this process. To this end, zebrafish were reared in a dark environment, and myopia-related parameters were measured. RNA sequencing and histological analysis were performed. We found a myopic shift with a relative refractive error (RRE) change and an increased eye-to-body length ratio in zebrafish reared in the dark compared to that in their light-reared siblings. RNA sequencing indicated that the phototransduction pathway was affected. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the elongation of the rod's outer segment and increased rhodopsin expression. Overexpressed rhodopsin determined a myopic RRE; ocular enlargement resembled myopia and elevated 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), which was also present in the retinal pigment epithelium of the dark-reared zebrafish. Incubation of ARPE-19 cells with a low 4-HNE concentration increased cell proliferation capacity, while incubation of ARPE-19 cells with its high concentration induced apoptosis. The increased expression of rhodopsin in a dark-rearing environment affected refractive development in zebrafish.
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