Hypoxia and growth factor profiling in high myopia: linking HIF-1α suppression and PDGF-BB activation to structural degeneration

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1705777...

Published: 2025-12-08T00:00:00Z

The study examined molecular and structural changes in high myopia in 88 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients with high myopia had significantly increased axial eye length and reduced choroidal thickness, with 71.9% of them having degenerative maculopathy. Analysis of the ventricular fluid showed lower levels of HIF-1α and VEGF and increased levels of PDGF-BB, HGF and IL-6 compared to the control group. HIF-1α was negatively correlated with disease severity, while PDGF-BB was positively associated with fibrotic markers. IL-17 levels did not differ between groups. The results suggest that hypoxic signaling (HIF-1α) and activation of PDGF-BB growth factor occur in high myopia, which may be related to structural degeneration of the eye. These molecular changes correlate with clinical parameters and can serve as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.