• Na Du, Mingjin Li, and Dan Yang.
• Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, People's Republic of China.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Jun 1; 191 (3): 115311591153-1159.

BackgroundCardiovascular disorders pose great threat to public health. As a common type of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis is characterized by high morbidity and mortality/recurrence rate. However, the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is complex and not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of hsa_circRNA_102541 (circ_102541) on proliferation and apoptosis of HUVEC cells and to identify the underlying mechanisms.MethodsRT-PCR was used to determine the expression levels of circ_102541, miR-296-5p, and PLK1 in atherosclerosis and healthy blood samples. Following the transfection with sh-circ_102541, LV-circ_102541, miR-296-5p mimics, miR-296-5p inhibitors, and si-PLK1, cell proliferation was evaluated using CCK8 assay; cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry; dual luciferase assay was performed to examine the interaction between abovementioned molecules. The levels of associated markers including PCNA and caspase-3 were assessed by western blotting and RT-qPCR.ResultsThe expression of circRNA_102541 and PLK1 were significantly elevated in atherosclerosis specimens, where the level of miR-296-5p was reduced. Furthermore, circRNA_102541 could bind miR-296-5p and subsequently target PLK1. Following treatment with sh-circRNA_102541 or miR-296-5p mimics, proliferative ability and levels of PCNA were remarkably reduced in HUVEC cells, while apoptosis was significantly enhanced. Co-transfection with miR-296-5p mimics abrogated the effects induced by the overexpressed circ_102541. Additionally, treatment with si-PLK1 attenuated the biological behavior changes caused by miR-296-5p inhibitors in HUVEC cells. Moreover, transfection with LV-PLK1 reversed the effects triggered by miR-296-5p mimics.ConclusionTaken together, circRNA_102541 was upregulated in atherosclerosis, and knockdown of circRNA_102541 suppressed cell proliferation while promoted apoptosis of HUVEC cells via miR-296-5p/PLK1. This novel pathway may serve essential roles on the development of atherosclerosis, and circRNA_102541 could be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis.© 2021. Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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