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Xia Y, Chen K, Yang Q, Chen Z, Jin L, Zhang L, Yu X, Wang L, Xie C, Zhao Y, Shen Y, Tong J. Methylation in cornea and corneal diseases: a systematic review. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:169. [PMID: 38589350 PMCID: PMC11002037 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01935-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Corneal diseases are among the primary causes of blindness and vision loss worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of corneal diseases remains elusive, and diagnostic and therapeutic tools are limited. Thus, identifying new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases has gained great interest. Methylation, a type of epigenetic modification, modulates various cellular processes at both nucleic acid and protein levels. Growing evidence shows that methylation is a key regulator in the pathogenesis of corneal diseases, including inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization, making it an attractive potential therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the major alterations of methylation and demethylation at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels in corneal diseases and how these dynamics contribute to the pathogenesis of corneal diseases. Also, we provide insights into identifying potential biomarkers of methylation that may improve the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Kuangqi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qianjie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Zhitong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Le Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liyue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liyin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Jianping Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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Li X, Wang G, Wang X, Li W, Li N, Liu X, Fan W, He S, Han Y, Su G, Cao Q, Yang P, Hou S. OR11H1 Missense Variant Confers the Susceptibility to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease by Mediating Gadd45g Expression. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306563. [PMID: 38168905 PMCID: PMC10953539 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a severe autoimmune disease. Herein, whole-exome sequencing (WES) study are performed on 2,573 controls and 229 VKH patients with follow-up next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a collection of 2,380 controls and 2,278 VKH patients. A rare c.188T>C (p Val63Ala) variant in the olfactory receptor 11H1 (OR11H1) gene is found to be significantly associated with VKH disease (rs71235604, Pcombined = 7.83 × 10-30 , odds ratio = 3.12). Functional study showes that OR11H1-A63 significantly increased inflammatory factors production and exacerbated barrier function damage. Further studies using RNA-sequencing find that OR11H1-A63 markedly increased growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible gamma (GADD45G) expression. Moreover, OR11H1-A63 activates the MAPK and NF-κB pathways, and accelerates inflammatory cascades. In addition, inhibiting GADD45G alleviates inflammatory factor secretion, likely due to the regulatory effect of GADD45G on the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Collectively, this study suggests that the OR11H1-A63 missense mutation may increase susceptibility to VKH disease in a GADD45G-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingran Li
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Guoqing Wang
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Xiaotang Wang
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Wanqian Li
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Laboratory MedicineBeijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing100005China
| | - Xianyang Liu
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Wei Fan
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Siyuan He
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Yue Han
- Beijing Novogene Bioinformatics Technology Co.,LtdBeijing100600China
| | - Guannan Su
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Qingfeng Cao
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Peizeng Yang
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
| | - Shengping Hou
- Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology; Chongqing Eye InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing400042China
- Beijing Institute of OphthalmologyBeijing Tongren Eye CenterBeijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key LaboratoryBeijing Tongren HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijing100730China
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Li B, Wang Z, Zhou H, Zou J, Yoshida S, Zhou Y. N6-methyladenosine methylation in ophthalmic diseases: From mechanisms to potential applications. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23668. [PMID: 38192819 PMCID: PMC10772099 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, as the most common modification method in eukaryotes, is widely involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, such as embryonic development, malignancy, immune regulation, and premature aging. Under pathological conditions of ocular diseases, changes in m6A modification and its metabolism can be detected in aqueous and vitreous humor. At the same time, an increasing number of studies showed that m6A modification is involved in the normal development of eye structures and the occurrence and progress of many ophthalmic diseases, especially ocular neovascular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and melanoma. In this review, we summarized the latest progress regarding m6A modification in ophthalmic diseases, changes in m6A modification-related enzymes in various pathological states and their upstream and downstream regulatory networks, provided new prospects for m6A modification in ophthalmic diseases and new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zicong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Haixiang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jingling Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Shigeo Yoshida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yedi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
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Zhan J, Yang J, Zheng J, Qi Y, Ye Y, Chen X, Wei X. CircMIRLET7BHG, upregulated in an m6A-dependent manner, induces the nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction in allergic rhinitis pathogenesis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111162. [PMID: 37976602 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Allergic rhinitis (AR) remains a frequent aspiratory allergic inflammatory disorder with a high incidence. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been revealed to participate in the pathogenesis of AR. This study investigated the biological function of circMIRLET7BHG (hsa_circ_0008668) in AR progression. METHODS Ovalbumin (OVA)-exposed human nasal epithelial cell line (HNEpC) and mice were adopted as the in vitro and in vivo models of AR. Immunofluorescence staining was used to determine epithelial tight junction protein expression. Target molecule levels were assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Localization of circMIRLET7BHG and IGF2BP1 was observed by RNA-FISH and immunofluorescence. Epithelial barrier damage was determined by transepithelial electrical resistance and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FD4) permeability. Serum concentrations of IgE, sIgE, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-5 were detected by ELISA. Apoptosis, pathological changes, and eosinophil infiltration in nasal mucosa tissues were evaluated by TUNEL, H&E, and Sirius red staining, respectively. Molecular mechanism was analyzed by RNA pull-down, RIP, and MeRIP assays. RESULTS An increased expression of circMIRLET7BHG was found in AR patients and experimental models. Down-regulation of circMIRLET7BHG attenuated OVA-induced allergic symptoms via relieving epithelial thicknesses, eosinophil infiltration, apoptosis, and inflammatory response in mice. Subsequently, circMIRLET7BHG deficiency prevented OVA-induced epithelial barrier dysfunction by reducing epithelial permeability, and inhibiting tight junction proteins. Mechanistically, methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) enhanced circMIRLET7BHG expression via m6A methylation, which enhanced ADAM10 mRNA stability via interaction with IGF2BP1. CONCLUSION METTL3-mediated m6A modification increased circMIRLET7BHG expression that consequently raised ADAM10 mRNA stability via interplay with IGF2BP1, thereby promoting AR by inducing epithelial barrier dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Zhan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Qi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China
| | - Yi Ye
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), No.19, Xiuhua Road, Haikou City, Hainan Province 570311, P.R. China.
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Feng L, Wang C, Zhang C, Zhang W, Song W. Role of epigenetic regulation in glaucoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115633. [PMID: 37806089 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is the world's leading irreversible blinding eye disease. Lowering intraocular pressure is currently the only effective clinical treatment. However, there is a lack of long-acting IOP-lowering drugs, and some patients still experience retinal ganglion cell loss even with good intraocular pressure control. Currently, there is no effective method for neuroprotection and regeneration in clinical practice for glaucoma. In recent years, epigenetics has been widely researched and reported for its role in glaucoma's neuroprotection and regeneration. This article reviews the changes in histone modifications, DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and m6A methylation in glaucoma, aiming to provide new perspectives for glaucoma management, protection of retinal ganglion cells, and axon regeneration by understanding epigenetic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lemeng Feng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Chao Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Wulong Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Weitao Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.
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Xie ZY, Cao HW, Wang Q, Lu H, Du W. Catalpol inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation by reducing the formation and changing the contents of hepatocyte-derived extracellular vesicles. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:723-736. [PMID: 36508052 PMCID: PMC10409968 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00716-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is the central event in hepatic fibrosis. The cross-talk between HSCs and hepatocytes, which is mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs), affects HSC activation. This study aimed to investigate whether Catalpol (CTP) attenuated hepatic fibrosis via modulating EVs. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 for 4 weeks to induce hepatic fibrosis. They were gavaged with CTP daily. Mouse serum EVs were isolated and identified using nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Mouse hepatocytes (AML12) and primary HSCs were used to investigate the cell-to-cell crosstalk. The autophagosome-autolysosome fusion was determined using the autophagic flux assay. Hepatic fibrosis was attenuated by CTP, with a decrease of the myofibroblast marker, alpha-smooth muscle actin. The CTP treatment lowered the serum EVs. The co-culture of HSCs and the EVs derived from the CTP-treated mice or hepatocytes reduced HSC proliferation and the expressions of ACTA2 and Col1a1. After the CCl4 treatment, the autophagosomes in AML12 cells were increased, while the autolysosomes were reduced. The decrease of autophagic cargo receptor SQSTM1 in the CTP group suggested that autophagic degradation was sustained. After inhibiting the endogenous Rac1-GTP of hepatocytes, the co-culture of EVs and HSCs reduced Rac1-GTP. The Rac1-GTP level in serum EVs from the CTP-treated mice was reduced in vivo. CTP inhibited autophagy in hepatocytes by reducing Rac1-GTP and thus affect the amount of Rac1-GTP in hepatocyte-derived EVs and the formation of EVs, which attenuated hepatic fibrosis via inhibiting HSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Yuan Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.1 Mingde Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Heng-Wei Cao
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wen Du
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Song B, Zeng Y, Cao Y, Zhang J, Xu C, Pan Y, Zhao X, Liu J. Emerging role of METTL3 in inflammatory diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic applications. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1221609. [PMID: 37671161 PMCID: PMC10475571 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite improvements in modern medical therapies, inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, chronic kidney diseases, and autoimmune diseases have high incidence rates, still threaten human health, and represent a huge financial burden. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of RNA contributes to the pathogenesis of various diseases. As the most widely discussed m6A methyltransferase, the pathogenic role of METTL3 in inflammatory diseases has become a research hotspot, but there has been no comprehensive review of the topic. Here, we summarize the expression changes, modified target genes, and pathogenesis related to METTL3 in cardiovascular, metabolic, degenerative, immune, and infectious diseases, as well as tumors. In addition to epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, METTL3 also regulates the function of inflammation-related immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, Th17 cells, and NK cells. Regarding therapeutic applications, METTL3 serves as a target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases with natural plant drug components, such as emodin, cinnamaldehyde, total flavonoids of Abelmoschus manihot, and resveratrol. This review focuses on recent advances in the initiation, development, and therapeutic application of METTL3 in inflammatory diseases. Knowledge of the specific regulatory mechanisms involving METTL3 can help to deepen understanding of inflammatory diseases and lay the foundation for the development of precisely targeted drugs to address inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jingbo Liu
- Department of Periodontics, School of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Zhu X, Zhou C, Zhao S, Zheng Z. Role of m6A methylation in retinal diseases. Exp Eye Res 2023; 231:109489. [PMID: 37084873 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Retinal diseases remain among the leading causes of visual impairment in developed countries, despite great efforts in prevention and early intervention. Due to the limited efficacy of current retinal therapies, novel therapeutic methods are urgently required. Over the past two decades, advances in next-generation sequencing technology have facilitated research on RNA modifications, which can elucidate the relevance of epigenetic mechanisms to disease. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), formed by methylation of adenosine at the N6-position, is the most widely studied RNA modification and plays an important role in RNA metabolism. It is dynamically regulated by writers (methyltransferases) and erasers (demethylases), and recognized by readers (m6A binding proteins). Although the discovery of m6A methylation can be traced back to the 1970s, its regulatory roles in retinal diseases are rarely appreciated. Here, we provide an overview of m6A methylation, and discuss its effects and possible mechanisms on retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinoblastoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Furthermore, we highlight potential agents targeting m6A methylation for retinal disease treatment and discuss the limitations and challenges of research in the field of m6A methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Chuandi Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Shuzhi Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| | - Zhi Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China; National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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Hu Y, Chen J, Wang Y, Sun J, Huang P, Feng J, Liu T, Sun X. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein alleviates Aβ 1-40 induced retinal pigment epithelial cells degeneration via PKA/CREB signaling pathway. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:584-597. [PMID: 36378581 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) is thought to be a critical pathologic factor of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Aβ induces inflammatory responses in RPE cells and recent studies demonstrate the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulatory role in RPE cell inflammation. m6A is a reversible epigenetic posttranslational modification, but its relationship with Aβ-induced RPE degeneration is yet to be thoroughly investigated. The present study explored the role and mechanism of m6A in Aβ-induced RPE degeneration model. This model was induced via intravitreally injecting oligomeric Aβ and the morphology of its retina was analyzed. One of m6A demethylases, the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene expression, was assessed. An m6A-messenger RNA (mRNA) epitranscriptomic microarray was employed for further bioinformatic analyses. It was confirmed that Aβ induced FTO upregulation within the RPE. Hypopigmentation alterations and structural disorganization were observed in Aβ-treated eyes, and inhibition of FTO exacerbated retinal degeneration and RPE impairment. Moreover, the m6A-mRNA epitranscriptomic microarray suggested that protein kinase A (PKA) was a target of FTO, and the PKA/cyclic AMP-responsive element binding (CREB) signaling pathway was involved in Aβ-induced RPE degeneration. m6A-RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation confirmed that FTO demethylated PKA within the RPE cells of Aβ-treated eyes. Altered expression of PKA and its downstream targets (CREB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) was confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Hence, this study's findings shed light on FTO-mediated m6A modification in Aβ-induced RPE degeneration and indicate potential therapeutic targets for AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, and Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing, China
| | - Jieqiong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junran Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peirong Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyang Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Te Liu
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Zhao L, Liu Y, Ma B, Liu X, Wei R, Nian H. METTL3 inhibits autoreactive Th17 cell responses in experimental autoimmune uveitis via stabilizing ASH1L mRNA. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22803. [PMID: 36753389 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201548r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), a primary N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, has been implicated in various biological and pathological processes including immune responses. However, the functions and mechanisms of METTL3 in pathogenic T helper (Th)17 cells are poorly understood. Here we found significantly decreased METTL3 expression along with reduced m6A levels in eyeballs and T cells of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Overexpression of METTL3 ameliorated the development of EAU and suppressed pathogenic Th17 cell responses in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, METTL3 promoted the expression of absent, small, or homeotic-like 1 (ASH1L) via enhancing its stability in a YT521-B homology domain containing 2 (YTHDC2)-dependent manner, which further decreased the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 receptor (IL-23R), resulting in reduced pathogenic Th17 responses. Together, our data reveal a pivotal role of METTL3 in regulating pathogenic Th17 responses, which may contribute to human uveitis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuling Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Binyun Ma
- Department of Medicine/Hematology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xun Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruihua Wei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Nian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
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FTO-mediated m6A modification alleviates autoimmune uveitis by regulating microglia phenotypes via the GPC4/TLR4/NF-κB signaling axis. Genes Dis 2022. [PMID: 37492748 PMCID: PMC10363593 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveitis, a vision-threatening inflammatory disease worldwide, is closely related to resident microglia. Retinal microglia are the main immune effector cells with strong plasticity, but their role in uveitis remains unclear. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been proven to be involved in the immune response. Therefore, we in this work aimed to identify the potentially crucial m6A regulators of microglia in uveitis. Through the single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis and experimental verification, we found a significant decrease in the expression of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) in retinal microglia of uveitis mice and human microglia clone 3 (HMC3) cells with inflammation. Additionally, FTO knockdown was found to aggravate the secretion of inflammatory factors and the mobility/chemotaxis of microglia. Mechanistically, the RNA-seq data and rescue experiments showed that glypican 4 (GPC4) was the target of FTO, which regulated microglial inflammation mediated by the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Moreover, RNA stability assays indicated that GPC4 upregulation was mainly regulated by the downregulation of the m6A "reader" YTH domain family protein 3 (YTHDF3). Finally, the FTO inhibitor FB23-2 further exacerbated experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) inflammation by promoting the GPC4/TLR4/NF-κB signaling axis, and this could be attenuated by the TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242. Collectively, a decreased FTO could facilitate microglial inflammation in EAU, suggesting that the restoration or activation of FTO function may be a potential therapeutic strategy for uveitis.
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Tang S, Meng J, Tan J, Liu X, Zhou H, Li N, Hou S. N6-methyladenosine demethylase FTO regulates inflammatory cytokine secretion and tight junctions in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Clin Immunol 2022; 241:109080. [PMID: 35878734 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Uveitis is an intraocular inflammatory disease. Epigenetics has been associated with its pathogenesis. However, the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in uveitis has not been reported. We aimed to examine the role of m6A and its regulatory mechanism in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). METHODS The mRNA expression of m6A-related methylase and demethylase of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) between mice with EAU and control mice was detected by RT-qPCR. The overall m6A level of ARPE-19 cells was detected by an m6A quantitative detection kit. Cell proliferation was observed by CCK-8 assays, and ELISA was used to test the secretion of inflammatory factors. The expression of tight junction proteins and the target genes of FTO were examined by western blotting and MeRIP-PCR. RESULTS A decreased expression of FTO in RPE cells was found in mice with EAU. Increased overall m6A%, proliferation of cells and secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 were found after FTO knockdown in ARPE-19 cells. However, ZO-1 and occludin protein expression was decreased. ATF4 protein expression was decreased in the FTO knockdown (shFTO) group as compared with the control (shNC) group. In contrast, the m6A level of ATF4 was elevated, as shown by MeRIP-PCR. Functional analysis showed that p-STAT3 expression was increased in the shFTO group, and the change in occludin expression was reversed in ATF4 rescue experiment. CONCLUSION FTO may affect the translation of ATF4 by regulating its m6A level, resulting in the increased expression of p-STAT3 and inflammatory factors, and leading to uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Tang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayu Meng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianyang Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongxiu Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Shengping Hou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, China.
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