Snhg18 promotes hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by enhancing glycolysis

In this study, we aim to clarify the lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 18 (Snhg18) implicated in pulmonary vascular remodeling and investigate its underlying mechanisms. Snhg18 is upregulated in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and lung tissues under hypoxic conditions.

Inhibition of Snhg18 attenuates cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Snhg18 interacts with the m6A “reader” protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (Hnrnpa2b1), thus increasing enolase 3 (Eno3) mRNA stability in an m6A-dependent manner. The elevation of Eno3 augments glycolysis of PASMCs, thus promoting cell proliferation and vascular remodeling.