PAX6 gene promoter methylation is correlated with myopia in Chinese adolescents: a pilot sutdy

Purpose A large number of epidemiological studies have shown that myopia is a complex disease involving genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of PAX6 gene methylation in myopia in Chinese adolescents. Methods Eighty junior high school students were divided into four groups based on their vision test results: mild myopia, moderate myopia, severe myopia, and non-myopia control. The methylation level of PAX6 gene promoter was detected by bisulfate pyrosequencing. Results The methylation level of PAX6 gene in myopia group (8.06% +/- 1.43%) was slightly but significantly higher than that in non-myopia controls (7.26% +/- 1.17%). In addition, PAX6 gene methylation levels presented a decreasing pattern along with the aggravation of myopia. Post-hoc analysis indicated significant inter-group differences for the mild myopia group and other groups (All p < .05). In the subgroup analysis by gender, the methylation level of PAX6 gene promoter in girls was higher than that in boys (p = .023). The ROC curves showed a high accuracy of PAX6 gene methylation to predict mild myopia (AUC (95% CI) = 0.828 (0.709-0.947), p < .001). Conclusions The methylation of PAX6 gene might play a role in the onset and progression of myopia in Chinese adolescents. And this could potentially explore the potential molecular mechanisms of juvenile myopia in the future.