METTL3 drives NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma and is a therapeutic target for boosting immunotherapy

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism and target therapy of NAFLD-HCC are still unclear. Here, we identify that the N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) methyltransferase METTL3 promotes NAFLD-HCC. Hepatocyte-specific Mettl3 knockin exacerbated NAFLD-HCC formation, while Mettl3 knockout exerted the opposite effect in mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that METTL3 suppressed antitumor immune response by reducing granzyme B (GZMB⁺) and interferon gamma-positive (IFN-γ⁺) CD8⁺ T cell infiltration, thereby facilitating immune escape. Mechanistically, METTL3 mediates sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) mRNA m⁶A to promote its translation, leading to the activation of cholesterol biosynthesis. This enhanced secretion of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters that impair CD8⁺ T cell function in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting METTL3 by single-guide RNA, nanoparticle small interfering RNA (siRNA), or pharmacological inhibitor (STM2457) in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) synergized to reinvigorate cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells and mediate tumor regression. Together, METTL3 is a therapeutic target in NAFLD-HCC, especially in conjunction with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy.