METTL3‐mediated ANXA2 inhibition confers neuroprotection in ischemic stroke: Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies

Abstract Given the important role of m6A, the most common and reversible mRNA modification, in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, this study investigates the mechanisms of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in neuronal damage in ischemic stroke. In silico analysis was used to pinpoint the expression of ANXA2, which was verified in clinical peripheral blood samples. SD rats were used for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) establishment. The experimental data suggested that T lymphocytes were increased in peripheral blood samples of ischemic stroke patients and MCAO rats. The MCAO rats were treated with anti‐ANXA2 alone or combined with RP101075 (T lymphocyte infiltration inhibitor), followed by brain injury assessment. Oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) was induced in primary cortical neurons, where shRNAs targeting ANXA2 or METTL3, or overexpression plasmids of METTL3 were introduced to verify the regulatory function for METTL3. Inhibition of T lymphocyte migration to the ischemic brain reduced brain injury in MCAO rats and neuronal damage in OGD/R‐exposed neurons. Ablation of ANXA2 in T lymphocytes inhibited the migration of T lymphocytes to the ischemic brain and reduced neuronal damage. Mechanistically, METTL3 reduced ANXA2 expression in T lymphocytes through m6A modification and inhibited p38MAPK/MMP‐9 pathway activation, exerting protective effects against neuronal damage in ischemic stroke. Overall, this study reveals the neuroprotective effects of METTL3‐mediated ANXA2/p38MAPK/MMP‐9 inhibition against ischemic stroke.