Downregulated YTHDF2 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with inflammatory and neutrophil cytokine production

Objectives An increasing body of evidence suggests that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a crucial role in the etiology of SLE. We focused on YTHDF2 expression in neutrophils and the relationship between YTHDF2 and the pathogenesis of SLE. Methods Sixty-one patients with SLE and 48 healthy controls (HC) were recruited, and their clinical characteristics were recorded. The mRNA levels of m6A “writers” (METTL3, METTL14, WTAP), “erasers” (FTO and ALKBH5), “readers” (YTHDF2), and inflammatory factors (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and TNF-α) in neutrophils were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The protein of YTHDF2 was determined by Western blotting. The correlations between the YTHDF2 in neutrophils of SLE patients and clinical features were examined by Spearman’s method. YTHDF2 and TNF-α expression in neutrophils were examined after stimulation by SLE serums. Results The mRNA expression of YTHDF2 in neutrophils was significantly decreased, and the protein level of YTHDF2 in neutrophils was decreased. The mRNA expression of YTHDF2 in neutrophils correlated with L % ( r s = 0.5796, P