Transcriptome-wide N6-methyladenosine methylation landscape of coronary artery disease

Aim: To reveal transcriptome-wide N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) methylome of coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials & methods: The m(6)A levels of RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells measured by colorimetry were significantly decreased in CAD cases. Transcriptome-wide m(6)A methylome profiled by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) identified differentially methylated m(6)A sites within both mRNAs and lncRNAs between CAD and control group. Results: Bioinformatic analysis indicated that differentially methylated genes were involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. MeRIP-quantitative real-time PCR assay confirmed the reliability of MeRIP-seq data. Finally, the rat carotid artery balloon injury model was performed to confirm the role of m(6)A demethylase FTO in neointima formation. Conclusion: Our study provided a resource of differentially methylated m(6)A profile for uncovering m(6)A biological functions in the pathogenesis of CAD.