<p>Epitranscriptomic modifications [N6-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A)] regulate various diseases, including cancer and inflammation. Despite their functional relevance in neural development and differentiation, the role of m<sup>6</sup>A modifications in HIV neuropathogenesis is unknown. Using anti-N6-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A) antibody-immunoprecipitation and microarray profiling, we identified m<sup>6</sup>A modifications in miRNAs in basal ganglia (BG) of uninfected (VEH) and SIV-infected Rhesus macaques (RMs) on combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and either VEH-treated (VEH/SIV/ART) or THC:CBD-treated (THC:CBD/SIV/ART). HIV/SIV infection promoted an overall hypomethylated miRNA m<sup>6</sup>A profile. While THC:CBD did not significantly impact the overall hypomethylated m<sup>6</sup>A profile, specific miRNAs predicted to target proinflammatory genes showed marked m<sup>6</sup>A hypomethylation compared to VEH-treated RMs. Additionally, specific BG m<sup>6</sup>A-modified miRNAs were detected in BG-derived extracellular vesicles. Mechanistically, the DRACH motif in the miR-194-5p seed region was significantly m<sup>6</sup>A hypomethylated in THC:CBD/SIV/ART RMs. Unlike wild-type, in-vitro transfected m<sup>6</sup>A-modified miR-194-5p mimics failed to downregulate STAT1 protein expression. Further, compared to VEH/SIV/ART RMs, THC:CBD significantly reduced m<sup>6</sup>A methylation of 44 miRNAs directly involved in regulating CNS network genes. Our findings indicate that m<sup>6</sup>A epi-transcriptomic marks in the seed nucleotides can impair miRNA function and that cannabinoids may preserve it by reducing m<sup>6</sup>A methylation levels, thus providing a mechanistic explanation underlying their anti-neuroinflammatory effects in HIV/SIV infection.</p>

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Cannabinoids shift the basal ganglia microRNA m6A methylation profile towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype in SIV-infected rhesus macaques

  • Chioma M. Okeoma,
  • Lakmini S. Premadasa,
  • Chen S. Tan,
  • Ionita C. Ghiran,
  • Mahesh Mohan

摘要

Epitranscriptomic modifications [N6-methyladenosine (m6A)] regulate various diseases, including cancer and inflammation. Despite their functional relevance in neural development and differentiation, the role of m6A modifications in HIV neuropathogenesis is unknown. Using anti-N6-methyladenosine (m6A) antibody-immunoprecipitation and microarray profiling, we identified m6A modifications in miRNAs in basal ganglia (BG) of uninfected (VEH) and SIV-infected Rhesus macaques (RMs) on combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and either VEH-treated (VEH/SIV/ART) or THC:CBD-treated (THC:CBD/SIV/ART). HIV/SIV infection promoted an overall hypomethylated miRNA m6A profile. While THC:CBD did not significantly impact the overall hypomethylated m6A profile, specific miRNAs predicted to target proinflammatory genes showed marked m6A hypomethylation compared to VEH-treated RMs. Additionally, specific BG m6A-modified miRNAs were detected in BG-derived extracellular vesicles. Mechanistically, the DRACH motif in the miR-194-5p seed region was significantly m6A hypomethylated in THC:CBD/SIV/ART RMs. Unlike wild-type, in-vitro transfected m6A-modified miR-194-5p mimics failed to downregulate STAT1 protein expression. Further, compared to VEH/SIV/ART RMs, THC:CBD significantly reduced m6A methylation of 44 miRNAs directly involved in regulating CNS network genes. Our findings indicate that m6A epi-transcriptomic marks in the seed nucleotides can impair miRNA function and that cannabinoids may preserve it by reducing m6A methylation levels, thus providing a mechanistic explanation underlying their anti-neuroinflammatory effects in HIV/SIV infection.