METTL7A‐Dependent m <sup>6</sup> A Methylation Orchestrates CXCR4 <sup>hi</sup> Neutrophil Pathogenicity and NETosis in Skin Inflammation

ABSTRACT Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released by C–X–C motif chemokine receptor 4‐high (CXCR4 hi ) neutrophils are major contributors to skin inflammation in psoriasis, yet the upstream epitranscriptomic mechanisms that regulate NETosis remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of methyltransferase‐like protein 7A (METTL7A) in N 6 ‐methyladenosine (m 6 A)‐mediated neutrophil activation and psoriasis pathogenesis. Using transcriptomic profiling of CXCR4 hi neutrophils from psoriasis patients, m 6 A RNA immunoprecipitation, in vitro functional assays, and in vivo murine models of skin inflammation, along with genetic silencing and adoptive transfer experiments, we demonstrated that METTL7A was preferentially upregulated in pathogenic and aged CXCR4 hi neutrophils and was positively associated with disease severity. METTL7A expression also increased during human promyelocytic leukemia cells(HL‐60 cell differentiation, maturation, and activation. Silencing METTL7A inhibited neutrophil maturation and aging, reduced NETosis, and alleviated psoriasiform inflammation in vivo. Adoptive transfer of METTL7A ‐deficient neutrophils further protected mice from skin inflammation. Mechanistically, METTL7A stabilized phospholipid scramblase 1 ( PLSCR1 ) mRNA through m 6 A‐associated regulation, thereby enhancing reactive oxygen species production and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. These findings identify METTL7A as a novel epitranscriptomic regulator of pathogenic CXCR4 hi neutrophils, acting through the METTL7A–PLSCR1 axis to drive NETosis and skin inflammation, thereby providing a rationale for developing m 6 A‐targeted therapies in neutrophil‐associated disorders.

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MedComm
Published
2026-08-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70941
Primary Topic
Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
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article
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article

METTL7A‐Dependent m 6 A Methylation Orchestrates CXCR4 hi Neutrophil Pathogenicity and NETosis in Skin Inflammation

Jiaoling Chen, Erle Dang, Yaxing Bai, Shuai Shao et al.
MedComm
Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
article

METTL7A‐Dependent m 6 A Methylation Orchestrates CXCR4 hi Neutrophil Pathogenicity and NETosis in Skin Inflammation

Jiaoling Chen, Erle Dang, Yaxing Bai, Shuai Shao, Xin Tang, Huiyi Quan, Xiaolei Su, Jinkai Liang, Ke Xue, Jiaqi Wang, Xuan Liu, Zhiguo Li, Gang Wang, Wanting Liu, Kang Li, Yunfeng Gu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released by C–X–C motif chemokine receptor 4‐high (CXCR4 hi ) neutrophils are major contributors to skin inflammation in psoriasis, yet the upstream epitranscriptomic mechanisms that regulate NETosis remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of methyltransferase‐like protein 7A (METTL7A) in N 6 ‐methyladenosine (m 6 A)‐mediated neutrophil activation and psoriasis pathogenesis. Using transcriptomic profiling of CXCR4 hi neutrophils from psoriasis patients, m 6 A RNA immunoprecipitation, in vitro functional assays, and in vivo murine models of skin inflammation, along with genetic silencing and adoptive transfer experiments, we demonstrated that METTL7A was preferentially upregulated in pathogenic and aged CXCR4 hi neutrophils and was positively associated with disease severity. METTL7A expression also increased during human promyelocytic leukemia cells(HL‐60 cell differentiation, maturation, and activation. Silencing METTL7A inhibited neutrophil maturation and aging, reduced NETosis, and alleviated psoriasiform inflammation in vivo. Adoptive transfer of METTL7A ‐deficient neutrophils further protected mice from skin inflammation. Mechanistically, METTL7A stabilized phospholipid scramblase 1 ( PLSCR1 ) mRNA through m 6 A‐associated regulation, thereby enhancing reactive oxygen species production and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. These findings identify METTL7A as a novel epitranscriptomic regulator of pathogenic CXCR4 hi neutrophils, acting through the METTL7A–PLSCR1 axis to drive NETosis and skin inflammation, thereby providing a rationale for developing m 6 A‐targeted therapies in neutrophil‐associated disorders.

MedCommVol. 7(9)
Xijing Hospital (CN), Air Force Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
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