Comprehensive Analysis of Crucial m⁶A-Related Differentially Expressed Genes in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and multifactorial inflammatory cutaneous disorder that involves genetic and epigenetic factors. N6-methyladenosine methylation (m⁶A) is the most prevalent RNA modification implicated in various diseases; however, its role in psoriasis still needs to be further explored. We aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of m⁶A in psoriasis pathogenesis, prompting new therapeutic targets.

Three psoriasis-related datasets, including GSE155702, GSE109248, and GSE142582, were collected. Differentially m⁶A methylated genes (DMGs) between psoriasis lesions of psoriasis patients and healthy skin controls were identified from the GSE155702 dataset, and corresponding Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the common DEGs between the two groups were screened from the GSE109248 and GSE142582 datasets; the expression and interactions of the m⁶A regulators were analyzed. The m⁶A levels of total RNAs and the protein expression levels of METTL3, WTAP, ALKBH5, FTO, and METTL14 in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasiform lesions were evaluated.

66 significantly upregulated and 381 significantly downregulated m⁶A peaks were identified, corresponding to 414 genes which were particularly associated with cell and tissue development processes and cell cycle related items. 271 common DEGs were identified, associating with keratinocyte differentiation, epidermis development, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and fatty acid metabolic processes. 15 crucial m⁶A related differentially expressed genes were obtained after the intersection of the DMGs and common DEGs, including NEU2, GALNT6, MTCL1, DOC2B, CAMK2N1, SNTB1, RNF150, CGNL1, CCDC102A, MEOX2, EEF2K, OBSCN, SLC46A2, CCDC85A, and DACH1. In addition, we found that m⁶A methylation and these five m⁶A regulators were both upregulated in psoriatic lesions.

It revealed that psoriasis pathophysiological processes encompass m⁶A epigenetic alterations, and that m⁶A alterations may specifically influence cell proliferation and neural regulation, and closely associated with osteoarticular involvement and metabolic syndrome in psoriasis.