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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
A Method for Measuring RNA N6-methyladenosine Modifications in Cells and Tissues
Published on: December 5, 2016
Microenvironment modulation by key regulators of RNA N6-methyladenosine modification in respiratory allergic diseases
Yuting Wang1, Jiaxi Wang2, Zhanfeng Yan3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Background:
RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are considered post-transcriptional regulators that affect several biological functions, and their role in immunity, in particular, is emerging. However, the role of m6A regulators in respiratory allergic diseases remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of key m6A regulators in mediating respiratory allergic diseases and immune microenvironment infiltration characteristics.
Methods:
We downloaded gene expression profiles of respiratory allergies from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and we performed hierarchical clustering, difference analysis, and construction of predictive models to identify hub m6A regulators that affect respiratory allergies. Next, we investigate the underlying biological mechanisms of key m6A regulators by performing PPI network analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and immune microenvironment infiltration analysis. In addition, we performed a drug sensitivity analysis on the key m6A regulator, hoping to be able to provide some implications for clinical medication.
Results:
In this study, we identified four hub m6A regulators that affect the respiratory allergy and investigated the underlying biological mechanisms. In addition, studies on the characteristics of immune microenvironment infiltration revealed that the expression of METTL14, METTL16, and RBM15B correlated with the infiltration of the mast and Th2 cells in respiratory allergy, and METTL16 expression was found to be significantly negatively correlated with macrophages for the first time (R = -0.53, P < 0.01). Finally, a key m6A regulator, METTL14, was screened by combining multiple algorithms. In addition, by performing a drug sensitivity analysis on METTL14, we hypothesized that it may play an important role in the improvement of allergic symptoms in the upper and lower airways with topical nasal glucocorticoids.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that m6A regulators, particularly METTL14, play a crucial role in the development of respiratory allergic diseases and the infiltration of immune cells. These results may provide insight into the mechanism of action of methylprednisolone in treating respiratory allergic diseases.
Insights
RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are key to respiratory allergies. METTL14, an m6A regulator, is crucial in disease development and immune cell infiltration, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are emerging as critical players in immune responses.
- The specific role of m6A regulators in respiratory allergic diseases remains largely unexplored.
- Understanding these regulators is vital for addressing the growing burden of allergic respiratory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of key m6A regulators in respiratory allergic diseases.
- To characterize the immune microenvironment infiltration associated with m6A regulation in allergies.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for respiratory allergies based on m6A regulator activity.
Main Methods:
- Downloaded and analyzed gene expression profiles of respiratory allergies from the GEO database.
- Utilized hierarchical clustering, differential analysis, and predictive modeling to identify hub m6A regulators.
- Performed pathway analysis, enrichment analysis, and immune cell infiltration analysis to elucidate biological mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Identified four hub m6A regulators significantly associated with respiratory allergies.
- Discovered correlations between METTL14, METTL16, and RBM15B expression and mast cell and Th2 cell infiltration.
- Found a novel negative correlation between METTL16 and macrophage infiltration (R = -0.53, P < 0.01).
- Screened METTL14 as a key regulator and suggested its potential role in improving airway allergic symptoms with topical nasal glucocorticoids.
Conclusions:
- m6A regulators, particularly METTL14, are pivotal in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic diseases.
- These regulators influence immune cell infiltration, highlighting their role in the allergic immune response.
- Findings provide mechanistic insights into the efficacy of treatments like methylprednisolone for respiratory allergies.
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