The functional roles of mA modification in T lymphocyte responses and autoimmune diseases.

RNA N6-methyladenosine (mA) modification is abundant in eukaryotes, bacteria and archaea. It is an RNA modification mainly existing in messenger RNA (mRNAs) and has a significant effect on the metabolism and function of mRNAs. mA modification is controlled by three types of proteins, namely methyltransferase as the "writers", demethylase as the "erasers", and specific mA recognized protein (YTHDF1-3) as the "readers". Recent studies have shown that mA modification plays an important role in cancer, viral infection and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we will elaborate on the mA modifications in the homeostasis and differentiation of T cells. Then we will further summarize the effects of mA modification on the T cell responses and T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. This will advance T cell epigenetics research and provide potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases.