Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Knockdown of fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) can induce N6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of m 6A RNA methylation on atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque by FTO knockdown. METHODS: A total of 50 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into pure high-fat group, sham operation group, vulnerable plaque group, empty load group, and FTO knockdown group (10 rabbits/group). RESULTS: Flow cytometry showed that helper T (Th) cells in the FTO knockdown group accounted for a significantly higher proportion of lymphocytes than in the vulnerable plaque group and empty load group (P<0.05). Th cells were screened by cell flow. The level of m(6)A RNA methylation in the FTO knockdown group was significantly higher than in the vulnerable plaque group and empty load group (P<0.05). The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein C were higher at the 12(th) week than at the 1(st) week, but the high-density lipoprotein C level was lower at the 12(th) week than at the 1(st) week. At the 12th week, the interleukin-7 level was significantly lower in the adeno-associated virus-9 (AVV9)-FTO short hairpin RNA group than in the control and AVV9-green fluorescent protein groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: After successfully establishing a vascular parkinsonism rabbit model, m(6)A RNA methylation can decrease Th cells and vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.