Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Refined Murine Model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
07:51

Refined Murine Model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Published on: June 17, 2025

369

The Combined Effects of Circular RNA Methylation Promote Pulmonary Fibrosis

Sha Wang1,2,3,4, Wei Luo1,2,3,4, Jie Huang1,2

  • 1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of circular RNAs (circRNAs) plays a key role in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. METTL3-mediated m6A circRNAs synergistically promote fibroblast dysfunction, offering potential therapeutic targets for fibrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Epitranscriptomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent RNA modification, primarily on mRNA.
  • The role of m6A-modified circular RNAs (circRNAs) in pulmonary fibrosis is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the involvement of m6A-modified circRNAs in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an m6A-circRNA epitranscriptomic chip to identify candidate circRNAs.
  • Conducted mechanistic studies to explore the role of METTL3 and specific circRNAs (hsa_circ_0000672, hsa_circ_0005654) in fibroblast function.
  • Investigated the interaction with eIF4A3.

Main Results:

  • Identified hsa_circ_0000672 and hsa_circ_0005654 as key players in SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Demonstrated that m6A modification of these circRNAs synergistically impairs fibroblast function via eIF4A3.
  • Revealed that METTL3 mediates circRNA m6A modification, promoting fibroblast activation, migration, and activity in silica-induced fibrosis.

Conclusions:

  • m6A methylation of circRNAs is a critical mediator of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
  • METTL3-driven m6A circRNA modification contributes to fibroblast dysfunction.
  • These findings highlight circRNA m6A modification as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating fibrotic diseases.
Keywords:
METTL3m6Anoncoding RNApulmonary fibrosis

More Related Videos

Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis06:03

Oropharyngeal Administration of Bleomycin in the Murine Model of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Published on: May 9, 2025

913
Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica05:03

Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica

Published on: October 28, 2022

1.4K

Related Concept Videos

RNA Editing02:23

RNA Editing

RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
9.2K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.2K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.3K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.2K
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
384