ATG7 and rheumatoid arthritis: Moreover, the arthritis severity of CIA rats injected with ALKBH5-shRNA was improved.17,18 Studies have also shown that METTL3-mediated m6A modification of ATG7 regulates the autophagy-GATA4 axis to promote degenerative changes in synovialis, degradation of articular cartilage matrix and secretion of inflammatory factors.19 At present, comprehensive data on the role of m6A -modified proteins in synovial proliferation and joint destruction in RA are lacking, and further studies are needed to clarify their exact roles in RA.