Research progress on the role of internal chemical modifications of messenger RNA in vascular diseases

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2026.03.015

Abstract

Abstract:

The pathological alterations in vascular diseases encompass multiple facets, such as endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory response activation, phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells, and extracellular matrix remodeling. In the multi-level regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional modifications precisely modulate cellular physiological and pathological states by affecting processes such as RNA splicing, degradation, and translation. With advances in detection technologies, a more systematic understanding of the formation processes and biological functions of RNA modifications has been achieved. Among these, several abundant internal chemical modifications of eukaryotic mRNA, including N⁶-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytosine, and N⁴-acetylcytidine, are regarded as important epitranscriptomic regulatory mechanisms due to their reversible generation and removal, and recognition mediated by various RNA-binding proteins. Many studies have shown that alterations in the expression and activity of these RNA modifications and their regulatory proteins drive key pathological processes in common vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, aortic dissection/aneurysm, and pulmonary hypertension. Targeting specific RNA modification pathways holds promise for reprogramming gene expression networks and ameliorating vascular dysfunction, thereby providing novel strategies for the precise treatment of vascular diseases. This review systematically summarizes current understanding of how mRNA internal modifications regulate gene expression in common vascular diseases, providing a theoretical foundation for developing targeted therapies.

Key words: RNA modification, vascular diseases, N⁶-methyladenosine, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells

CLC Number:

R543

Feng Qianqian, Ai Ding. Research progress on the role of internal chemical modifications of messenger RNA in vascular diseases[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2026, 46(3): 400-407.

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References 67

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