Circ_0000566 contributes oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced human brain microvascular endothelial cell injury via regulating miR-18a-5p/ACVR2B axis.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert regulatory roles in cerebrovascular disease. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) participated in brain vascular dysfunction in ischemic stroke. Herein, the functions of circ_0000566 in oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced HBMECs were investigated. The expression of circ_0000566, miR-18a-5p, and Activin receptor type 2B (ACVR2B) was measured via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays were utilized to detect cell viability and cell apoptosis. Western blot assay was employed to measure the levels of apoptotic-related proteins and ACVR2B. The secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was detected via corresponding kits. The relationship between miR-18a-5p and circ_0000566 or ACVR2B was examined via dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Circ_0000566 and ACVR2B were highly expressed, while miR-18a-5p was down-regulated in OGD/R-treated HBMECs. OGD/R treatment promoted HBMECs apoptosis and inflammation and suppressed cell viability, which could be attenuated by silencing of circ_0000566. Circ_0000566 acted as a miR-18a-5p sponge to contribute to OGD/R-induced HBMECs injury. ACVR2B served as a direct target of miR-18a-5p, and ACVR2B overexpression might abolish the inhibitory role of miR-18a-5p on OGD/R-treated HBMEC injury. Circ_0000566 sponged miR-18a-5p to regulate OGD/R-induced HBMECs injury via regulating ACVR2B expression.