METTL3 regulates LPS-induced inflammatory response via the NOD1 signaling pathway

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a prevalent mRNA modification that plays a crucial function in multiple biological processes. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), an m⁶A methyltransferase, is essential for the m⁶A modification. Recently, the effect of METTL3 on the immune response has been reported. However, the effect is unclear, and the results are contradictory. In the present study, the total m⁶A and the expression of METTL3 decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophages. METTL3 knockdown significantly upregulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6 and NO. RNA sequencing analysis showed that the upregulated genes were enriched in inflammation-related signaling pathways and that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway might be the target molecules of METTL3. METTL3 depletion resulted in upregulation of the NOD1 pathway without impacting NOD2. Moreover, the increase in proinflammatory cytokines induced by METTL3 knockdown was reversed by blocking the NOD1 pathway using specific inhibitors. Mechanistically, METTL3 knockdown promoted the mRNA expression and stability of NOD1 and RIPK2, and the same results were detected in m⁶A-binding protein YTHDF1- or YTHDF2-silenced cells. All findings suggested that METTL3 depletion inhibits the degradation of NOD1 and RIPK2 mRNA mediated by YTHDF1 and YTHDF2, which upregulate the NOD1 pathway and subsequently promote the LPS-induced inflammatory response in macrophages.