circ_0067934 promotes the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells through miR-1301-3p/HMGB1 axis

Neoplasma. 2022 Jan;69(1):1-15. doi: 10.4149/neo_2021_210608N771. Epub 2021 Oct 26.

Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent form of thyroid cancer (TC). There is increasing evidence that circular RNAs play a role in the tumorigenesis of PTC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential function of circ_0067934 in PTC and the underlying molecular mechanism. In our study, cell viability assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay, Transwell invasion assay, western blot, soft agar assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), dual-luciferase reporter assay, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and tumor xenograft formation were conducted to evaluate the effects of circ_0067934 in PTC cells. We found that circ_0067934 was upregulated in PTC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circ_0067934 inhibited growth, colony formation, migration, invasion, EMT, and tumor xenograft growth, and induced apoptosis of PTC cells. Moreover, circ_0067934 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-1301-3p, and depletion of miR-1301-3p abrogated the effects of circ_0067934 knockdown in PTC cells. In addition, HMGB1 was a target of miR-1301-3p, and miR-1301-3p overexpression inhibited the malignant effects of PTC cells via suppressing HMGB1. Furthermore, knockdown of circ_0067934 suppressed HMGB1 expression, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK activation by sponging miR-1301-3p. In nude mice, circ_0067934 depletion repressed tumor xenograft growth of PTC cells. In conclusion, our results provided a novel insight into circ_0067934 in the tumorigenesis and progression of PTC. circ_0067934 might be a prognostic marker or therapeutic target for PTC treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • HMGB1 Protein* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • RNA, Circular / genetics*
  • Thyroid Cancer, Papillary / genetics
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • HMGB1 Protein
  • MIRN1301 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular