1. Academic Validation
  2. WTAP/YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification amplifies IFN-γ-induced immunosuppressive properties of human MSCs

WTAP/YTHDF1-mediated m6A modification amplifies IFN-γ-induced immunosuppressive properties of human MSCs

  • J Adv Res. 2024 Jun 27:S2090-1232(24)00256-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.06.019.
Quan Chen 1 Luoquan Ao 2 Qing Zhao 2 Lu Tang 2 Yanli Xiong 3 Yuchuan Yuan 2 Xiaofeng Wu 2 Wei Xing 2 Zhan Li 2 Wei Guo 2 Huaping Liang 2 Song Guo Zheng 4 Qizhou Lian 5 Di Lu 6 Weijun Wan 7 Xiang Xu 8
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Science and Technology Achievement Incubation Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
  • 2 State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
  • 3 State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China; Cancer Center, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China, No.10 Changjiang Zhi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing 400042, China.
  • 4 Department of Immunology, School of Cell and Gene Therapy, Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China.
  • 5 Faculty of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518000, China; Cord Blood Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Eugenics and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510000, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
  • 6 Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Science and Technology Achievement Incubation Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
  • 7 State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China. Electronic address: wwj1524@163.com.
  • 8 State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Science and Technology Achievement Incubation Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. Electronic address: xiangxu@tmmu.edu.cn.
Abstract

Introduction: The immunosuppressive capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is dependent on the "license" of several pro-inflammatory factors to express immunosuppressive molecular profiles, which determines the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Of those, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a key inducer for the expression of immunosuppressive molecular profiles; however, the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown.

Objectives: To elucidate the regulation mechanism and biological functions of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in the immunosuppressive functions by the IFN-γ-licensing MSCs.

Methods: Epitranscriptomic microarray analysis and MeRIP-qPCR assay were performed to identify the regulatory effect of WTAP in the IFN-γ-licensing MSCs. RIP-qPCR, western blot, qRT-PCR and RNA stability assays were used to determine the regulation of WTAP/m6A/YTHDF1 signaling axis in the expression of immunosuppressive molecules. Further, functional capacity of T cells was tested using flow cytometry, and both DSS-induced colitis mice and CIA mice were constructed to clarify the effect of WTAP and YTHDF1 in MSC-mediated immunosuppression.

Results: We identified that IFN-γ increased the m6A methylation levels of immunosuppressive molecules, while WTAP deficiency abolished the IFN-γ-induced promotion of m6A modification. IFN-γ activated ERK signaling, which induced WTAP phosphorylation. Additionally, the stabilization of WTAP post-transcriptionally increased the mRNA expression of immunosuppressive molecules (IDO1, PD-L1, ICAM1, and VCAM1) in an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent manner; this effect further impacted the immunosuppressive capacity of IFN-γ licensing MSCs on activated T cells. Notably, WTAP/YTHDF1 overexpression enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-γ licensing MSCs and restructures the ecology of inflammation in both colitis and Arthritis Models.

Conclusion: Our results showed that m6A modification of IDO1, PD-L1, ICAM1, and VCAM1 mRNA mediated by WTAP-YTHDF1 is involved in the regulation of IFN-γ licensing MSCs immunosuppressive abilities, and shed a LIGHT to enhance the clinical therapeutic potential of IFN-γ-licensing MSCs.

Keywords

Immunosuppression; Interferon-γ; Mesenchymal stem cells; N(6)-methyladenosine modification.

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