Inhibition of Alkbh5 Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Injury by Promoting Ccl1 m6A and Treg Recruitment.

This paper discussed the role of AlkB homologue 5 (Alkbh5) in the progression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). LPS-induced ALI models were established in Alkbh5 knockout (KO) and knock-in (KI) mice. The m6A levels in lung tissues were analysed using m6A dot assays. The lung injury was analysed by determining ALI-related markers and histological staining. Mouse MLE12 cells were exposed to LPS for in vitro experiments, and the influence of Alkbh5 on cell viability, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was analysed. RNA-seq analysis was performed to analyse gene changes upon Alkbh5 deficiency. Functions of the Alkbh5-C-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (Ccl1) cascade in ALI were further verified using the Alkbh5 antagonist DDO-2728 and a recombinant protein of Ccl1 (mCcl1). Alkbh5 was upregulated in lung tissues following LPS exposure. Alkbh5 knockout in mice mitigated LPS-induced lung injury, as indicated by reduced serum levels of lung injury markers and reduced immune cell infiltration, fibrosis and apoptosis. Conversely, Alkbh5 overexpression in mice resulted in reverse trends. In vitro, Alkbh5 knockdown in MLE12 cells enhanced cell viability while reducing cell apoptosis and ROS production. Mechanistically, Alkbh5 was found to bind to and destabilise Ccl1 mRNA, leading to increased Treg recruitment. Treatment with DDO-2728 or mCcl1 in mice increased Treg infiltration, thus improving lung tissue pathology and reducing lung injury. This study suggests that Alkbh5 is implicated in ALI progression by reducing Ccl1-mediated Treg recruitment, making it a promising target for ALI management.