Background: Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process caused by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix caused by a series of causes, leading to the formation of fiber scar. RNA methylation is a newly discovered epigenetic modification that exists widely in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases.
Results: The occurrence and development of HF are regulated by many factors, including excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, activation of hepatic stellate cells, inflammation, and oxidative stress. RNA methylations of different species have become a crucial regulatory mode of transcript expression, And participate in the pathogenesis of tumors, nervous system diseases, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases. In addition, there are five common types of RNA methylation, but only m6A plays a crucial regulatory role in HF. The pathophysiological regulation of m6A on HF is achieved by the combination of the methylated transferase, demethylated enzyme, and methylated reading protein.
Conclusions: RNA methylated methyltransferase, demethylase, and reading protein extensively affect the pathological mechanism of HF, which may be a new therapeutic and diagnostic target, representing a new class of therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: Epigenetics; Hepatic fibrosis; Hepatic stellate cells; N6-methyladenosine; RNA methylation.
© 2023. The Author(s).