{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Retinal Degeneration Response to Graphene Quantum Dots: Disruption of the Blood-Retina Barrier Modulated by Surface Modification-Dependent DNA Methylation.
{Author}: Liu Y;Tan X;Wang R;Fan L;Yan Q;Chen C;Wang W;Ren Z;Ning X;Ku T;Sang N;
{Journal}: Environ Sci Technol
{Volume}: 58
{Issue}: 33
{Year}: 2024 Aug 20
{Factor}: 11.357
{DOI}: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02179
{Abstract}: Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are used in diverse fields from chemistry-related materials to biomedicines, thus causing their substantial release into the environment. Appropriate visual function is crucial for facilitating the decision-making process within the nervous system. Given the direct interaction of eyes with the environment and even nanoparticles, herein, GQDs, sulfonic acid-doped GQDs (S-GQDs), and amino-functionalized GQDs (A-GQDs) were employed to understand the potential optic neurotoxicity disruption mechanism by GQDs. The negatively charged GQDs and S-GQDs disturbed the response to light stimulation and impaired the structure of the retinal nuclear layer of zebrafish larvae, causing vision disorder and retinal degeneration. Albeit with sublethal concentrations, a considerably reduced expression of the retinal vascular sprouting factor sirt1 through increased DNA methylation damaged the blood-retina barrier. Importantly, the regulatory effect on vision function was influenced by negatively charged GQDs and S-GQDs but not positively charged A-GQDs. Moreover, cluster analysis and computational simulation studies indicated that binding affinities between GQDs and the DNMT1-ligand binding might be the dominant determinant of the vision function response. The previously unknown pathway of blood-retinal barrier interference offers opportunities to investigate the biological consequences of GQD-based nanomaterials, guiding innovation in the industry toward environmental sustainability.