Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV
Published on: March 5, 2022
M6A methylation modification in autoimmune diseases, a promising treatment strategy based on epigenetics
Yurong Huang1, Qiuyun Xue1, Jun Chang2,3
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Qianjiang Road, Xinzhan District, Hefei, 230012, Anhui Province, China.
Background:
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification is involved in the regulation of various biological processes, including inflammation, antitumor, and antiviral immunity. However, the role of m6A modification in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has been rarely reported.
Methods:
Based on a description of m6A modification and the corresponding research methods, this review systematically summarizes current insights into the mechanism of m6A methylation modification in autoimmune diseases, especially its contribution to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Results:
By regulating different biological processes, m6A methylation is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and provides a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. Notably, m6A methylation modification is involved in regulating a variety of immune cells and mitochondrial energy metabolism. In addition, m6A methylation modification plays a role in the pathological processes of RA, and m6A methylation-related genes can be used as potential targets in RA therapy.
Conclusions:
M6A methylation modification plays an important role in autoimmune pathological processes such as RA and SLE and represents a promising new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment, providing new ideas for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by targeting m6A modification-related pathways.
Related Concept Videos
Autoimmune Disorders
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
Epigenetic Regulation
X-chromosome...
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...

