Abstract
Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in atherosclerosis (AS) development. However, the function and mechanism of circRNA hsa_circ_0003204 (circ_0003204) in carotid artery AS remain unclear.Methods: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated human carotid artery endothelial cells (HCtAECs) and THP-1 cells were used as cell models of carotid artery AS. Relative levels of circ_0003204, microRNA-188-3p (miR-188-3p), and transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 (TRPC6) were detected by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. The targeting relationship between circ_0003204 or TRPC6 and miR-188-3p was assessed via dual-luciferase reporter analysis and RNA immunoprecipitation. Cell proliferation was assessed via 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Cell apoptosis was analyzed via assessing cell caspase-3 activity, apoptosis, and apoptosis-related protein. Inflammatory response was analyzed via analysis of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Oxidative stress was assessed via determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD).Results: Circ_0003204 and TRPC6 levels were elevated, and miR-188-3p expression declined in ox-LDL-treated HCtAECs and THP-1 cells. Circ_0003204 could regulate TRPC6 expression via mediating miR-188-3p. Circ_0003204 silencing weakened ox-LDL-induced viability inhibition and apoptosis in HCtAECs, and inflammatory response and oxidative stress in THP-1 cells via regulating miR-188-3p. MiR-188-3p overexpression attenuated ox-LDL-induced injury in HCtAECs and THP-1 cells by targeting TRPC6.Conclusion: Circ_0003204 knockdown mitigated ox-LDL-induced injury in HCtAECs and THP-1 cells via regulating the miR-188-3p/TRPC6 axis, indicating that circ_0003204 might play an important role in carotid artery AS.
Highlights
Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory-related cardiovascular disease [1]
To explore whether circ_0003204, miR-188-3p, and transient receptor potential canonical channels (TRPCs) are implicated in carotid AS, their levels were detected in Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-challenged HCtAECs and THP-1 cells
MiR-188-3p level was progressively reduced as the elevation of ox-LDL (Figures 1C,D)
Summary
Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory-related cardiovascular disease [1]. Carotid artery AS is a group of AS and associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular disorders [2]. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) has an essential role in AS development via regulating the function of multiple cell lines, like endothelial cells and macrophages [3]. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are correlated with the regulation of cardiovascular cell biology in AS [6]. CircRNA hsa_circ_0003204 (circ_0003204), derived from ubiquitin-specific peptidase 36 (USP36), has been reported to be upregulated in ox-LDL-challenged human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and plays a vital role in cerebrovascular atherogenesis progression [8]. Circ_0003204 is reported to be dysregulated in ox-LDL-irritated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) [9]. How and whether circ_0003204 takes part in the development of carotid artery AS remain unknown. The function and mechanism of circRNA hsa_circ_0003204 (circ_0003204) in carotid artery AS remain unclear
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