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The Liquid Crystal Monomer 3cH2B Affects the Visual System via Neural-Cell-Specific Retinoic Acid Disruption in the
Kai Wang1, Lu He1, Xiaoyu Liu1
1Plant Protection College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 100866, People's Republic of China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 5, 2025
Summary
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) disrupt zebrafish vision and brain function by lowering retinoic acid (RA) levels. RA supplementation protected against these harmful effects, showing its crucial role in visual system health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are emerging contaminants with unknown effects on visual systems.
- Environmental and dietary exposure to LCMs is widespread.
- Understanding LCMs' impact on the visual-neuro axis is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the visual-neurotoxic effects of 3-hexyl-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (3cH2B), a common LCM, in zebrafish.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, particularly the role of retinoic acid (RA).
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 3cH2B for 40 days.
- Assessed visual behaviors, retinal structure, and central nervous system (CNS) changes.
- Measured retinoic acid (RA) levels and RA metabolism pathways.
- Utilized spatial transcriptomic analysis in the optic tectum.
- Investigated the effect of RA supplementation.
Main Results:
- 3cH2B exposure induced visual behavioral deficits.
- Decreased RA levels and retinal structural deformation were observed.
- Synaptic vesicle reduction and neuronal loss occurred in the CNS.
- RA metabolism pathways were downregulated in inhibitory neurons.
- 3cH2B reduced inhibitory neurons and RA-related gene expression in the optic tectum.
- RA supplementation mitigated 3cH2B-induced damage.
Conclusions:
- 3cH2B exposure negatively impacts zebrafish visual behavior and neuroanatomy.
- The disruption is linked to reduced RA levels and altered RA metabolism.
- RA plays a vital role in protecting against 3cH2B toxicity in the visual system.
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