Electroacupuncture Slows Experimental Myopia Progression by Improving Retinal Mitochondrial Function: A Study Based on Single‐Cell RNA Sequencing

Abstract

This study aimed to establish a complete atlas of retinal cells in lens‐induced myopia (LIM) and electroacupuncture (EA) intervention by single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) and to explore the potential mechanism of EA in improving experimental myopia progression in guinea pigs. scRNA‐seq is used to assess changes in individual cellular gene levels in the retina of LIM‐ and EA‐treated guinea pigs. In addition, the role of EA in slowing myopia progression by improving retinal mitochondrial function is further investigated. scRNA‐seq identified ten cell clusters in the retina of LIM and EA guinea pigs and mitochondrial respiratory chain‐related genes in Cones and Muller‐glia cells—Cytochrome oxidase subunit III (COX3), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) are closely related to lens‐induced myopia. A comprehensive atlas in the retina of LIM and EA guinea pigs at a single‐cell level is established, and the positive role of EA in improving retinal mitochondrial function to slow the experimental myopia progression in guinea pigs is revealed.