Integrative analysis implicates the significance of m(6)A in the liver fibrosis of biliary atresia by regulating THY1

Whether N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is involved in biliary atresia (BA) remains undefined. Herein, we comprehensively evaluated the m(6)A profile in BA. When compared with normal controls, BA had an elevated m(6)A level with upregulated m(6)A writers. The m(6)A level was correlated with liver function, stage of fibrosis and jaundice clearance in BA. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) demonstrated an altered m(6)A topology in BA. MeRIP-seq and RNA sequencing filtered out 130 m(6)A-modified genes, which were enriched in fibrogenetic pathways. MeRIP-qPCR in vivo and interventions of LX-2 and primary HSCs in vitro validated the regulatory role of m(6)A on COL1A1 and THY1. THY1(+) myofibroblasts expanded in portal area of BA, and highly expressed profibrogenic genes (COL1A1, MMP2, PDGFRA, and DCN). THY1 was correlated with liver fibrosis and jaundice clearance in BA. Bulk array (GSE46960, GSE15235), single-cell RNA sequencing (GSE136103), primary HSC interventions, and co-immunoprecipitation revealed that THY1 was correlated with extracellular matrix organization, promoted HSC activation, showed higher interactions with integrins on myeloid cells in cholestatic fibrosis, and was correlated with native liver survival in BA. Our study highlights the significance of m(6)A in BA-induced liver fibrogenesis by regulating THY1, shedding new light on the novel therapies to alleviate liver fibrosis by targeting m(6)A/THY1 axis in BA.