Emerging role of N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in lung diseases

In recent years, with the increase of air pollution, smoking, aging, and respiratory infection, the incidence rate and mortality of lung diseases are increasing annually, which has become a major hazard to human health. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is the most abundant modifications in eukaryotes, and such modified RNA can be specifically recognized and combined by m6A recognition proteins and then mediate RNA splicing, maturation, enucleation, degradation, and translation. More and more studies have revealed that the m6A modification is involved in the pathogenesis and development of some diseases; however, the mechanisms of m6A in lung diseases are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in the biological function of m6A modifications in lung diseases and discuss the potential therapeutic and prognostic strategies. The dysregulation of global m6A levels and m6A regulators may affect the occurrence and development of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and other lung diseases through inflammation and immune function. In lung cancer, this modification has an important impact on malignant cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance. In addition, abnormally changed m6A-modified proteins in lung cancer tissue samples and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers of lung cancer. Models composed of multiple m6A regulators can be used to evaluate the risk prediction or prognosis of asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. In general, the in-depth study of m6A modifications is a frontier direction in disease research. It provides novel insights for understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease occurrence, development, and drug resistance, as well as for the development of effective novel therapeutics.