METTL14-m6A-FOXO3a axis regulates autophagy and inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis

Clin Immunol. 2023 Dec:257:109838. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109838. Epub 2023 Nov 5.

Abstract

The role of m6A in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains largely obscure. In this study, we found that m6A modification was decreased in T cells of AS, and the abnormal m6A modification was attributed to the downregulation of methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14). METTL14 exerted a critical role in regulating autophagy activity and inflammation via targeting Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a). Mechanistically, the loss of METTL14 decreased the expression of FOXO3a, leading to the damage of autophagic flux and the aggravation of inflammation. Inversely, the forced expression of METTL14 upregulated the expression of FOXO3a, thereby activating autophagy and alleviating inflammation. Furthermore, our results revealed that METTL14 targeted FOXO3a mRNA and regulated its expression and stability in a m6A-dependent manner. These findings uncovered the functional importance of m6A methylation mechanisms in the regulation of autophagy and inflammation, which expanded our understanding of this interaction and was critical for the development of therapeutic strategies for AS.

Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Autophagy; FOXO3a; Inflammation; METTL14; m6A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenine* / metabolism
  • Autophagy* / genetics
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation* / genetics
  • Methyltransferases* / genetics
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing* / genetics
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing* / pathology

Substances

  • 6-methyladenine
  • Adenine
  • Methyltransferases
  • METTL14 protein, human
  • FOXO3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3