METTL7B Mitigates Hypertension and Vascular Remodeling.

METTL7B functions as a novel, METTL3-independent RNA m6A methyltransferase that mitigates hypertension and vascular remodeling in mice.

• Why it matters: Understanding key regulators of blood pressure is crucial for developing new treatments for hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• What they did: The study used methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA sequencing, and in vivo mouse models, including global and VSMC-specific Mettl7b knockout and overexpression mice, to investigate METTL7B's role and mechanisms.
• The result: Overexpression of METTL7B protected against hypertension and vascular remodeling by promoting FILIP1L maturation and reducing VSMC contractility, while its activation via FDA-approved drug netarsudil showed therapeutic potential, especially when METTL7B was functional.