Fig. 8: A paradigm for Wnt5ahi fibroblast involvement in the scleral ECM homeostasis and pathogenesis of myopia. | Nature Communications

Fig. 8: A paradigm for Wnt5ahi fibroblast involvement in the scleral ECM homeostasis and pathogenesis of myopia.

From: Decreased scleral Wnt5ahi fibroblasts exacerbate myopia progression by disrupting extracellular matrix homeostasis in mice

Fig. 8: A paradigm for Wnt5ahi fibroblast involvement in the scleral ECM homeostasis and pathogenesis of myopia.

Abnormal visual stimulation propagating via the retina-choroid-sclera signalling cascade reduces Wnt5ahi fibroblast numbers and/or activity, and thus Wnt5a secretion. Subsequently, the expression of genes for ECM molecules such as Col1a1, Sparc, Pcolce, Pcelce2, Adamts2, Bmp1, and Igta2 is downregulated via the noncanonical Wnt signalling pathway (Wnt5a-Ca2+-CaMKII). This response may disrupt ECM structural organisation, decrease collagen I level, and reduce the collagen fibril diameter, finally resulting in myopia progression due to increased distension of the posterior sclera under constant intraocular pressure.

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