Human YTH Domain Family 2 (YTHDF2)-Dependent N6-Methyladenosine Mediates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Oxidative Stress

Our study aimed to explore whether YT521-B homology domain family protein 2 (YTHDF2)-dependent m6A is involved in oxidative stress induced by I/R in vitro. We established a cell model of I/R by oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) in HT22 cell line. The shRNAs were used to silence YTHDF2 and Nrf2. The expression of YTHDF2 and Nrf2, levels of m6A, and the indicators related to oxidative stress (GSH, SOD and MDA) was detected in different cell groups. CCK8, flow cytometry, and ki67 fluorescence staining was used to evaluate the cell viability and apoptosis. The levels of YTHDF2, m6A and MDA were increased in cells, while the levels of GSH and SOD were reduced by OGD/R. Also, the apoptosis in cells was increased after OGD/R, and with decreased cell viability. The knockdown of YTHDF2 could reduce the level of m6A, increase the expression of Nrf2. Moreover, the levels of GSH and SOD were increased after exposure to YTHDF2-shRNA, while the level of MDA was decreased, and the cell viability was increased. Our study showed that YTHDF2-Dependent N6A mediates cerebral I/R injury via oxidative stress in vitro, which may constitute a new target for stroke.