Using 0.1 THz Radiation Regulates Collagen Synthesis Through TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway in Human Fetal Scleral Fibroblasts

Scleral tissue is a connective tissue made up of dense, intertwined collagen fibers that plays a vital part in preserving both the integrity of vision and the shape of the eyeball. Numerous studies have been conducted on the impact of terahertz radiation on biological systems. Terahertz radiation can affect cell morphology and function by mediating modifications in protein conformation and gene expression, according to recent research. Though terahertz waves found in the environment directly expose scleral tissue, little is known about how terahertz radiation affects scleral fibroblasts biologically. In this work, we investigated how 0.1 THz radiation affected the global expression levels of proteins and the viability of human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs). A total of 79.44% of the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) showed significant downregulation in expression levels after 60 min of exposure to terahertz radiation. Enrichment analysis of DEPs revealed that terahertz radiation enhanced the expression of cytoskeletal keratins, disrupted supercoplexes' assembly, and impaired mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, terahertz radiation influences the remodeling process of the scleral extracellular matrix by triggering the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Changes in transcriptional activity of several extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes persisted for 12 h in the absence of terahertz radiation. Research findings indicate that 0.1 THz radiation is capable of disrupting the dynamic balance between collagen synthesis and degradation in scleral fibroblasts. Such an imbalance may induce alterations in the structural integrity and biomechanical properties of the sclera, thereby elevating the potential risk of myopia onset or progression.