Investigating the Impact of METTL3 on Reinforcing Cell Adhesion by Enhancing Immunity through m6A-Mediated Stabilization of Integrin β1 mRNA in Osteosarcoma

Abstract

Osteosarcoma, a prevalent primary malignancy, continues to present significant challenges for current treatment strategies. However, a promising breakthrough emerges with PR-619, a novel inhibitor of deubiquitinating enzymes, showcasing remarkable anti-tumor effectiveness across various cancers. Recent advances in N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation reveal its critical role in human diseases, notably cancer. In our investigation, we've unveiled heightened METTL3 (Methyltransferase 3 (N6-Adenosine-Methyltransferase Complex Catalytic Subunit)) expression was identified in osteosarcoma, particularly in cases with bone metastasis, and was significantly associated with advanced disease progression and poor prognosis. Functional analyses demonstrated that METTL3, through an m6A-HuR-dependent mechanism, regulates Integrin β1 (ITGB1) expression, thereby enhancing its interaction with Collagen I and promoting osteosarcoma cell adhesion and motility, ultimately facilitating bone metastasis. Notably, METTL3-ITGB1-mediated adhesion remodeling may also influence immune-tumor interactions within the bone tumor microenvironment by altering extracellular matrix dynamics and immune cell accessibility. These findings elucidate a previously unrecognized epitranscriptomic mechanism underlying osteosarcoma metastasis and highlight METTL3 as a potential therapeutic target warranting further investigation with potential implications for potential effects on the tumor microenvironment that require future investigation.