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Circadian rhythm, ipRGCs, and dopamine signalling in myopia

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Abstract

Myopia, a common ophthalmic disorder, places a high economic burden on individuals and society. Genetic and environmental factors influence myopia progression; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unelucidated. This paper reviews recent advances in circadian rhythm, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), and dopamine (DA) signalling in myopia and proposes the hypothesis of a circadian rhythm brain retinal circuit in myopia progression. The search of relevant English articles was conducted in the PubMed databases until June 2023. Based on the search, emerging evidence indicated that circadian rhythm was associated with myopia, including circadian genes Bmal1, Cycle, and Per. In both humans and animals, the ocular morphology and physiology show rhythmic oscillations. Theoretically, such ocular rhythms are regulated locally and indirectly via the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which receives signal from the ipRGCs. Compared with the conventional retinal ganglion cells, ipRGCs can sense the presence of light because of specific expression of melanopsin. Light, together with ipRGCs and DA signalling, plays a crucial role in both circadian rhythm and myopia. In summary, regarding myopia progression, a circadian rhythm brain retinal circuit involving ipRGCs and DA signalling has not been well established. However, based on the relationship between circadian rhythm, ipRGCs, and DA signalling in myopia, we hypothesised a circadian rhythm brain retinal circuit.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Special task of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (grant number 087280) and the Science and Technology Bureau of Quanzhou (grant number 2020CT003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Centre of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China

    Licheng Li, Yang Yu, Zihao Zhuang & Jianmin Hu

  2. Group of Neuroendocrinology, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria St., Sydney, Australia

    Qi Wu & Shu Lin

  3. Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China

    Shu Lin

  4. The School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China

    Jianmin Hu

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LCL, SL, and JMH designed the study. LCL drafted the manuscript. LCL, YY, ZHZ, and QW critically revised the manuscript. SL and JMH supervised the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Shu Lin or Jianmin Hu.

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Li, L., Yu, Y., Zhuang, Z. et al. Circadian rhythm, ipRGCs, and dopamine signalling in myopia. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 262, 983–990 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-023-06276-x

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