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Emerging function of main RNA methylation modifications in the immune microenvironment of digestive system tumors

Yifan Zeng1, Tao Yu1, Zhuoqi Lou1

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|March 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

RNA methylation, including m6A, m5C, and m1A, significantly impacts digestive system tumors and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Understanding these modifications offers potential new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Digestive system tumors represent over 25% of global cancer cases, posing a significant healthcare challenge.
  • RNA methylation, a key post-transcriptional modification, is crucial for gene regulation and has emerged as a vital research area.
  • This modification is a dynamic, reversible process involving specific enzymes like methyltransferases, demethylases, and reader proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of three major RNA methylation modifications (m6A, m5C, m1A) in digestive system tumor development.
  • To elucidate the impact of these modifications on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of digestive system malignancies.
  • To highlight the potential of targeting RNA methylation mechanisms for novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on RNA methylation modifications (m6A, m5C, m1A).
  • Analysis of the role of these modifications in the development and progression of digestive system tumors.
  • Investigation of the influence of RNA methylation on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).

Main Results:

  • Abnormal RNA methylation patterns are implicated in the pathogenesis of digestive system tumors.
  • These modifications critically affect immunosuppression and antitumor immune responses.
  • Dysregulated methylation influences immune cell recruitment and the release of immune factors within the TIME.

Conclusions:

  • RNA methylation modifications (m6A, m5C, m1A) play a significant role in the development of digestive system tumors.
  • These epigenetic changes impact the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), influencing immune evasion and response.
  • Targeting RNA methylation pathways presents a promising avenue for developing innovative cancer therapies.
Keywords:
5-MethylcytosineDigestive system tumorsImmune microenvironmentN1-MethyladenosineN6-Methyladenosine

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