Abstract
Background: Cardiac fibrosis is pivotal in heart failure progression, where excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion by activated fibroblasts leads to adverse remodeling and dysfunction. While Wnt/β-catenin signaling influences fibroblast activation and cardiac fibrosis post-MI, its precise regulation remains unclear. Emerging evidence suggests N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A) mRNA methylation's role in disease pathology, yet its specific contribution to post-MI cardiac fibrosis is not well understood. Thus, we hypothesized that “ MI-induced METTL3 (a Key m6A mRNA methyltransferase) activation stabilizes δ-catenin mRNA, facilitating cardiac fibrosis and adverse remodeling ”. Methods: The mice underwent sham/MI surgeries for 4 weeks, after which heart tissues were collected for biochemical and histological analysis following heart function measurements. Additionally, methyl-immunoprecipitation followed by RNA sequencing (MeRIP-sequencing) was performed on the heart tissue post-surgery, and the data were analyzed to identify fibrosis-associated targets. Results: Ischemic injury significant increase in m6A mRNA methylation in heart tissues. This increase in m 6 A RNA was also observed in adult cardiac fibroblasts (AMFs) following TGFb treatment. Interestingly, METTL3 inhibition (METTL3 siRNA) resulted in a significant reduction in TGFb-induced periostin and fibronectin gene expression, while METTL3 overexpression enhanced the expression of fibrotic genes in AMFs. To identify differentially regulated m6A target genes, MeRIP-seq was performed on RNA isolated from mice hearts post-MI. The sequencing data suggested hypermethylation of fibrosis-associated genes, including δ-catenin, post-MI. Notably, TGFb-induced increased δ-catenin mRNA methylation led to δ-catenin mRNA stabilization. In contrast, METTL3 inhibition using siMETTL3 in AMFs and in METTL3 KO mice significantly reduced fibroblast activation and cardiac fibrosis. Conclusion: Our data suggests that hypermethylation of δ-catenin mRNA plays a significant role in the progression of cardiac fibrosis following AMI. Therefore, regulating METTL3 could be a potential therapeutic target for attenuating cardiac fibrosis.
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