Methyltransferase-like 3 aggravates endoplasmic reticulum stress in preeclampsia by targeting TMBIM6 in YTHDF2-dependent manner

BACKGROUND: With the increasing morbidity and mortality of preeclampsia (PE), it has posed a huge challenge to public health. Previous studies have reported endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress could contribute to trophoblastic dysfunction which was associated with the N(6)-methyladenosine (m(6)A) modification by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), resulting in PE. However, little was known about the relationship between METTL3 and ER stress in PE. Thus, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to clarify the mechanism about how METTL3 affects the trophoblasts under ER stress in PE and to explore a therapeutic approach for PE. METHODS: An ER stress model in HTR-8/SVneo cells and a preeclamptic rat model were used to study the mechanism and explore a therapeutic approach for PE. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP)-qPCR were performed to detect the protein, RNA, and methylated transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif containing 6 (TMBIM6) expression levels. The m(6)A colorimetric and mRNA stability assays were used to measure the m(6)A levels and TMBIM6 stability, respectively. Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were used to knockdown METTL3 and YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2 (YTHDF2). Flow cytometry and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the apoptosis and invasion abilities of trophoblasts. RESULTS: Upregulated METTL3 and m(6)A levels and downregulated TMBIM6 levels were observed in preeclamptic placentas under ER stress. The ER stress model was successfully constructed, and knockdown of METTL3 had a beneficial effect on HTR-8/SVneo cells under ER stress as it decreased the levels of methylated TMBIM6 mRNA. Moreover, overexpression of TMBIM6 was beneficial to HTR-8/SVneo cells under ER stress as it could neutralize the harmful effects of METTL3 overexpression. Similar to the knockdown of METTL3, downregulation of YTHDF2 expression resulted in the increased expression and mRNA stability of TMBIM6. Finally, improved systemic symptoms as well as protected placentas and fetuses were demonstrated in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: METTL3/YTHDF2/TMBIM6 axis exerts a significant role in trophoblast dysfunction resulting in PE while inhibiting METTL3 may provide a novel therapeutic approach for PE. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-023-00604-x.