N6-methyladenosine modification participates in neoplastic immunoregulation and tumorigenesis

J Cell Physiol. 2022 Jul;237(7):2729-2739. doi: 10.1002/jcp.30730. Epub 2022 Mar 27.

Abstract

This review aims to provide insight into the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in neoplastic immunity and subsequent tumorigenesis. m6A modification, which is catalyzed by methyltransferases, demethylases and reader proteins, has emerged as a widespread regulatory mechanism that controls immune-related gene expression and immune reactions during tumorigenesis. Aberrant m6A modification changes the neoplastic immune response in multiple cancers by regulating immune cell infiltration, tumor-promoting inflammation, immunosuppression, immune surveillance, and antitumor immune responses. m6A modification affects immune cell recruitment and cancer-promoting inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to alter the progression of HCC. m6A modification has been implicated in the infiltration of immune cells and the activation of immune pathways, changing the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer. Immune surveillance and the antitumor immune response in breast cancer were enhanced via m6A modification, which inhibited tumor proliferation. m6A modification participates in neoplastic immunoregulation to influence tumor progression.

Keywords: breast cancer; gastric cancer; hepatocellular carcinoma; m6A modification; tumor immunity.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine* / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenosine* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Inflammation
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • N-methyladenosine
  • Adenosine