Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF ) in red flashing light-induced myopia in guinea pig and to determine the role of CTGF in the development of myopia. Methods  60 three-week-old healty guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups. Guinea pigs in groupⅠwere exposed to red flashing light, groupⅡwere reared in the closed tightly paper box with natural light, but groupⅢ in a sight-widen cage and irradiated by natural light. After 6 weeks of treatment, the eyes were examined by cycloplegic retinoscopy and A-scan ultrasonography. Immunohistochemistry and Westem-blot were used to detect the expression of CTGF in posterior scleral of eyes. Results  Compared with group Ⅱ and groupⅢ, guinea pigs in groupⅠdeveloped myopia and eye axial elongated. CTGF expressed in posterior sclera in three groups.The expression of CTGF in sclera of groupⅠwas significantly higher than that in groupⅡand Ⅲ. Conclusion  This study demonstrated CTGF expressed in posterior sclera of red flashing light-induced myopia. CTGF may play an important role in the development of myopia.

Key words: red flashing light; sclera; connective tissue growth factor