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Hua T, Zhang C, Fu Y, Qin N, Liu S, Chen C, Gong L, Ma H, Ding Y, Wei X, Jin C, Jin C, Zhu M, Zhang E, Dai J, Ma H. Integrative analyses of N6-methyladenosine-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (m6A-SNPs) identify tumor suppressor gene AK9 in lung cancer. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:538-548. [PMID: 38051288 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) modification has been identified as one of the most important epigenetic regulation mechanisms in the development of human cancers. However, the association between m6 A-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (m6 A-SNPs) and lung cancer risk remains largely unknown. Here, we identified m6 A-SNPs and examined the association of these m6 A-SNPs with lung cancer risk in 13,793 lung cancer cases and 14,027 controls. In silico functional annotation was used to identify causal m6 A-SNPs and target genes. Furthermore, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (MeRIP-qPCR) assay was performed to assess the m6 A modification level of different genotypes of the causal SNP. In vitro assays were performed to validate the potential role of the target gene in lung cancer. A total of 8794 m6 A-SNPs were detected, among which 397 SNPs in nine susceptibility loci were associated with lung cancer risk, including six novel loci. Bioinformatics analyses indicated that rs1321328 in 6q21 was located around the m6 A modification site of AK9 and significantly reduced AK9 expression (β = -0.15, p = 2.78 × 10-8 ). Moreover, AK9 was significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues than that in adjacent normal tissues of samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Nanjing Lung Cancer Cohort. MeRIP-qPCR assay suggested that C allele of rs1321328 could significantly decrease the m6 A modification level of AK9 compared with G allele. In vitro assays verified the tumor-suppressing role of AK9 in lung cancer. These findings shed light on the pathogenic mechanism of lung cancer susceptibility loci linked with m6 A modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Hua
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chang Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Second People's Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yating Fu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Na Qin
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Su Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Congcong Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linnan Gong
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huimin Ma
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wei
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenying Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Erbao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juncheng Dai
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongxia Ma
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Research Units of Cohort Study on Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancers, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Wu W, Zhang F, Zhao J, He P, Li Y. The N6-methyladenosine:mechanisms, diagnostic value, immunotherapy prospec-ts and challenges in gastric cancer. Exp Cell Res 2022; 415:113115. [PMID: 35341774 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The N6-methyladenosine(m6A) RNA modification is important in post-transcriptional regulation of RNA and are regulated reversibly by methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers) and m6A recognition proteins (readers). Changes in the structure and function of key RNAs contribute to the development of diseases, particularly tumors. Many abnormal expressions of molecules related to m6A RNA methylation modification are discovered in gastric cancer(GC), which changes the methylation level and stability of target genes after transcription, and then regulates related metabolic pathways, affecting the occurrence and progression of GC. Therefore, an in-depth study of m6A RNA modification in GC is conducive to the development of new tumor therapies and the achieve of individualized treatment. At present, both basic and clinical studies indicate that m6A plays a complex and contentious role in GC. In this paper, we not only review the roles and mechanisms of m6A modified related proteins, but also discuss the value of m6A modulators in the clinical applications and current challenges of GC, aiming to provide research clues for the early diagnosis and explore the feasibility of m6A related proteins as specific targets for GC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Puyi He
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yumin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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3
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Photoelectrochemical biosensor for N6-methyladenosine detection based on enhanced photoactivity of TiO2-X and MoS2 nanocomposite. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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4
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Jin S, Zhu XN, Tan SK. Advances in research of m 6A methylation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2021; 29:720-725. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v29.i13.720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modification plays a vital role in many biological processes, and its abnormalities are associated with the progression of cancer. "N6-methyladenine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent and important RNA modification that plays a key role in almost all important biological processes. m6A methylation is a dynamic reversible process mediated by methyltransferases (m6A writers), demethylases (m6A erasers), and m6A recognition protein (m6A readers). In this paper, we review the m6A methylation modification and its associated regulatory proteins, with an emphasis on the role of m6A methylation in the development of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Jin
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541100, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiao-Nian Zhu
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541100, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Sheng-Kui Tan
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541100, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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Surmounting cancer drug resistance: New insights from the perspective of N6-methyladenosine RNA modification. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 53:100720. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Selberg S, Blokhina D, Aatonen M, Koivisto P, Siltanen A, Mervaala E, Kankuri E, Karelson M. Discovery of Small Molecules that Activate RNA Methylation through Cooperative Binding to the METTL3-14-WTAP Complex Active Site. Cell Rep 2020; 26:3762-3771.e5. [PMID: 30917327 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical modifications of RNA provide an additional, epitranscriptomic, level of control over cellular functions. N-6-methylated adenosines (m6As) are found in several types of RNA, and their amounts are regulated by methyltransferases and demethylases. One of the most important enzymes catalyzing generation of m6A on mRNA is the trimer N-6-methyltransferase METTL3-14-WTAP complex. Its activity has been linked to such critical biological processes as cell differentiation, proliferation, and death. We used in silico-based discovery to identify small-molecule ligands that bind to METTL3-14-WTAP and determined experimentally their binding affinity and kinetics, as well as their effect on enzymatic function. We show that these ligands serve as activators of the METTL3-14-WTAP complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Selberg
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Daria Blokhina
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria Aatonen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pertti Koivisto
- Organic Residues Section, Laboratory and Research Division, Chemistry Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Siltanen
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Mervaala
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esko Kankuri
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mati Karelson
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
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Nance DJ, Satterwhite ER, Bhaskar B, Misra S, Carraway KR, Mansfield KD. Characterization of METTL16 as a cytoplasmic RNA binding protein. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227647. [PMID: 31940410 PMCID: PMC6961929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNA modification by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in many post-transcriptional regulation processes including mRNA stability, splicing and promotion of translation. Accordingly, the recently identified mRNA methylation complex containing METTL3, METTL14, and WTAP has been the subject of intense study. However, METTL16 (METT10D) has also been identified as an RNA m6A methyltransferase that can methylate both coding and noncoding RNAs, but its biological role remains unclear. While global studies have identified many potential RNA targets of METTL16, only a handful, including the long noncoding RNA MALAT1, the snRNA U6, as well as the mRNA MAT2A have been verified and/or studied to any great extent. In this study we identified/verified METTL16 targets by immunoprecipitation of both endogenous as well as exogenous FLAG-tagged protein. Interestingly, exogenously overexpressed METTL16 differed from the endogenous protein in its relative affinity for RNA targets which prompted us to investigate METTL16's localization within the cell. Surprisingly, biochemical fractionation revealed that a majority of METTL16 protein resides in the cytoplasm of a number of cells. Furthermore, siRNA knockdown of METTL16 resulted in expression changes of a few mRNA targets suggesting that METTL16 may play a role in regulating gene expression. Thus, while METTL16 has been reported to be a nuclear protein, our findings suggest that METTL16 is also a cytoplasmic methyltransferase that may alter its RNA binding preferences depending on its cellular localization. Future studies will seek to confirm differences between cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA targets in addition to exploring the physiological role of METTL16 through long-term knockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Nance
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Emily R. Satterwhite
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brinda Bhaskar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sway Misra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kristen R. Carraway
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kyle D. Mansfield
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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8
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Lin W, Xu H, Wu Y, Wang J, Yuan Q. In silico genome‐wide identification of m6A‐associated SNPs as potential functional variants for periodontitis. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:900-908. [PMID: 31245852 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Hao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Yunshu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Periodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu China
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9
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Fitzsimmons CM, Batista PJ. It's complicated… m 6A-dependent regulation of gene expression in cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1862:382-393. [PMID: 30296493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cellular function relies on multiple pathways that are coordinated to ensure the proper execution of gene expression networks. Failure to coordinate the multiple programs active in the cell can have catastrophic consequences and lead to diseases such as cancer. At the post-transcriptional level, RNA modifications play important roles in the regulation of gene expression. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal messenger RNA (mRNA) modification and has gained increasing interest in the last few years as a dynamic regulator of RNA metabolism. Modifications regulate all stages of the RNA life cycle, from transcription to decay. Recent studies have pointed to the role of RNA methylation in cancer initiation and progression, and aberrant modification has served as a biomarker of early-stage diagnosis in several cancers. Here, we review the regulation of m6A, disruptions to methylation-dependent pathways that influence carcinogenesis, and potential avenues for m6A-related therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Fitzsimmons
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pedro J Batista
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Morena F, Argentati C, Bazzucchi M, Emiliani C, Martino S. Above the Epitranscriptome: RNA Modifications and Stem Cell Identity. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E329. [PMID: 29958477 PMCID: PMC6070936 DOI: 10.3390/genes9070329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequence databases and transcriptome-wide mapping have revealed different reversible and dynamic chemical modifications of the nitrogen bases of RNA molecules. Modifications occur in coding RNAs and noncoding-RNAs post-transcriptionally and they can influence the RNA structure, metabolism, and function. The result is the expansion of the variety of the transcriptome. In fact, depending on the type of modification, RNA molecules enter into a specific program exerting the role of the player or/and the target in biological and pathological processes. Many research groups are exploring the role of RNA modifications (alias epitranscriptome) in cell proliferation, survival, and in more specialized activities. More recently, the role of RNA modifications has been also explored in stem cell biology. Our understanding in this context is still in its infancy. Available evidence addresses the role of RNA modifications in self-renewal, commitment, and differentiation processes of stem cells. In this review, we will focus on five epitranscriptomic marks: N6-methyladenosine, N1-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytosine, Pseudouridine (Ψ) and Adenosine-to-Inosine editing. We will provide insights into the function and the distribution of these chemical modifications in coding RNAs and noncoding-RNAs. Mainly, we will emphasize the role of epitranscriptomic mechanisms in the biology of naïve, primed, embryonic, adult, and cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Morena
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Chiara Argentati
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Martina Bazzucchi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Carla Emiliani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
- CEMIN, Center of Excellence of Nanostructured Innovative Materials, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Sabata Martino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
- CEMIN, Center of Excellence of Nanostructured Innovative Materials, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
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Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Immunomodulation: Properties and Clinical Application. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:3057624. [PMID: 30013600 PMCID: PMC6022321 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3057624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells characterized by self-renewal, production of clonal cell populations, and multilineage differentiation. They exist in nearly all tissues and play a significant role in tissue repair and regeneration. Additionally, MSCs possess wide immunoregulatory properties via interaction with immune cells in both innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to immunosuppression of various effector functions. Numerous bioactive molecules secreted by MSCs, particularly cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines, exert autocrine/paracrine effects that modulate the physiological processes of MSCs. These invaluable virtues of MSCs provide new insight into potential treatments for tissue damage and inflammation. In particular, their extensive immunosuppressive properties are being explored for promising therapeutic application in immune disorders. Recently, clinical trials for MSC-mediated therapies have rapidly developed for immune-related diseases following reports from preclinical studies declaring their therapeutic safety and efficacy. Though immunotherapy of MSCs remains controversial, these clinical trials pave the way for their widespread therapeutic application in immune-based diseases. In this review, we will summarize and update the latest research findings and clinical trials on MSC-based immunomodulation.
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12
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RNA methylation regulates hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell development. J Genet Genomics 2017; 44:473-474. [PMID: 29037987 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Zhou C, Liu Y, Li X, Zou J, Zou S. DNA N 6-methyladenine demethylase ALKBH1 enhances osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs. Bone Res 2016; 4:16033. [PMID: 27785372 PMCID: PMC5057179 DOI: 10.1038/boneres.2016.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Revised: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ALKBH1 was recently discovered as a demethylase for DNA N6-methyladenine (N6-mA), a new epigenetic modification, and interacts with the core transcriptional pluripotency network of embryonic stem cells. However, the role of ALKBH1 and DNA N6-mA in regulating osteogenic differentiation is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of ALKBH1 in human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was upregulated during osteogenic induction. Knockdown of ALKBH1 increased the genomic DNA N6-mA levels and significantly reduced the expression of osteogenic-related genes, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization. ALKBH1-depleted MSCs also exhibited a restricted capacity for bone formation in vivo. By contrast, the ectopic overexpression of ALKBH1 enhanced osteoblastic differentiation. Mechanically, we found that the depletion of ALKBH1 resulted in the accumulation of N6-mA on the promoter region of ATF4, which subsequently silenced ATF4 transcription. In addition, restoring the expression of ATP by adenovirus-mediated transduction successfully rescued osteogenic differentiation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ALKBH1 is indispensable for the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and indicate that DNA N6-mA modifications area new mechanism for the epigenetic regulation of stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaobing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
| | - Shujuan Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
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