Intraocular epidermal growth factor concentration, axial length, and high axial myopia

Abstract

Purpose Various molecules such as dopamine have been found to be associated with axial elongation in experimental studies. Here, we examined whether intraocular EGF is associated with axial length in myopic patients. Methods The hospital-based investigation included patients of European descent without optic nerve, retinal, or macular diseases except for myopic maculopathy. Using aqueous humor samples collected during surgery, the EGF concentration was examined applying a cytometric bead array. High myopia was defined by an axial length of ≥ 27.0 mm. Results The study included a non-highly myopic group of 11 patients (mean age, 72.9 ± 10.8 years; mean axial length, 24.3 ± 1.1 mm) and a highly myopic group of three patients (age, 81.11 ± 12.3 years; axial length, 29.5 ± 1.3 mm), with one of them having pathologic myopic maculopathy. In multivariable linear regression analysis, higher EGF concentration was correlated with the highly myopic versus non-highly myopic group (beta, 1.24; non-standardized correlation coefficient B, 6.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.10,12.4;P = 0.047) after adjusting for axial length. The amount of intraocular EGF was significantly higher in the highly myopic group than in the non-highly myopic group (89.1 ± 40.8 pg versus 34.1 ± 13.2 pg; P = 0.005), and it was highest in the eye with myopic maculopathy (135 pg). Conclusions The intraocular amount of EGF is higher in highly myopic versus non-highly myopic eyes.

AREG is involved in scleral remodeling in form‐deprivation myopia via the ERK1/2‐MMP‐2 pathway

“…28 Jonas et al found that the intraocular amount of EGF is higher in highly myopic eyes than in non-highly myopic eyes, indicating a close association between the EGF family and myopia. 29 In conclusion, measuring AREG in tears could serve as an important surrogate marker to probe myopia mechanisms. Further studies with larger sample sizes and investigating the association between AREG and high myopia will validate these findings.…”

“…A genome‐wide association study found that the AREG SNP (rs12511037) was associated with increased AL, indicating that AREG is etiologically relevant for ocular traits 28 . Jonas et al found that the intraocular amount of EGF is higher in highly myopic eyes than in non‐highly myopic eyes, indicating a close association between the EGF family and myopia 29 . In conclusion, measuring AREG in tears could serve as an important surrogate marker to probe myopia mechanisms.…”

Safety and tolerability of intravitreal cetuximab in young and adult rabbits

“…These observations led to the question whether the intraocular application of an antibody to the EGF receptor could clinically be helpful to prevent further axial elongation in adult patients with pathologic myopia 1 – 4 . The notion of EGF being involved in the process of axial elongation has been supported by a recent small case series study in which the intraocular concentration of EGF was higher in the eyes of highly myopic patients than in non-highly myopic eyes 9 .…”

Prognostic Factors for Recurrent Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment after Silicone Oil Removal

“…Eyes were classified into short and long axial lengths, with a cut-off value of 27.0 mm. This specific cutoff value was chosen as it aligns with the commonly used definition of high myopia [10,[17][18][19].…”