Decoding m6A: a new frontier in maternal-foetal immunology.

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics
• RNA biology
• Reproductive medicine

Background:

• N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent RNA modification crucial for gene expression regulation.
• m6A is controlled by writer, eraser, and reader proteins, impacting RNA stability, translation, and splicing.
• While m6A's roles in cancer and development are known, its function in pregnancy remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review m6A regulators and detection technologies.
• To elucidate the m6A regulatory network throughout gestation.
• To evaluate m6A's potential in diagnosing and treating pregnancy-related disorders.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of m6A regulation in pregnancy.
• Analysis of m6A's role in maternal-fetal immune interactions.
• Exploration of m6A as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

• Detailed overview of m6A core regulators and advanced detection methods.
• Comprehensive outline of the m6A regulatory network across pregnancy.
• Discussion on m6A's involvement in the maternal-fetal immune microenvironment.

Conclusions:

• m6A modifications play significant roles throughout pregnancy.
• Understanding the m6A regulatory network is key for clinical translation.
• m6A holds promise as a biomarker and therapeutic target for pregnancy pathologies.