N6-methyladenosine and intervertebral disc degeneration: Advances in detection and pathological insights

Abstract

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is a progressive condition characterized by the deterioration of the intervertebral discs, which serve as cushions between the vertebrae in the spinal column. This degeneration is often associated with aging and can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, mechanical stress, and lifestyle choices. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification has emerged as a critical post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that influences various biological processes, including cellular differentiation, proliferation, and response to stress. Recent studies suggest that m⁶A modification play significant roles in the pathophysiology of IDD. The dysregulation of m⁶A methylation is linked to the altered expression of genes involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, extracellular matrix remodeling, regulated cell death including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, all of which contribute to the IDD. In this review, we summarize the advanced detection technology of m⁶A and the roles of m⁶A in pathological process of IDD, to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying IDD and identify novel therapeutic targets for intervention.

The translational potential of this article

This work underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeting m⁶A mechanism in IDD. Clinically, m6A regulators may serve as biomarkers for early IDD detection or progression monitoring. Therapeutically, small-molecule modulators of m⁶A writers/erasers or RNA-based strategies could restore ECM homeostasis, mitigate inflammation, and prevent IVD cell death. Furthermore, advanced m⁶A mapping technologies may enable personalized interventions by decoding patient-specific epitranscriptomic profiles. These insights bridge molecular mechanisms to clinical innovation, offering novel avenues for IDD treatment and regenerative therapies.