Circular RNA hsa_circ_0007121 regulates proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of trophoblast cells by miR-182-5p/PGF axis in preeclampsia
AbstractBackgroundMounting evidence has revealed that abnormal expression of circular RNAs play pivotal roles in many human diseases including preeclampsia (PE). While human sapiens circular RNA 0007121 (hsa_circ_0007121) has been verified to be downregulated in human placental tissues, the underlying mechanisms were still unclear. This research aims to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of hsa_circ_0007121 in preeclampsia.MethodsThe expression of hsa_circ_0007121, microRNA (miR)-182-5p, and placental growth factor (PGF) was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in PE placentas relative to the expression in normal pregnancy placentas. After transfection, cell counting kit-8 assay was employed to detect cell proliferation. Cell migration and invasion were tested by the transwell assay. The relative level of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in HTR-8/SVneo cells and PGF in placentas samples were measured by western blot. The relationship between miR-182-5p and hsa_circ_0007121 or PGF was predicated by circular RNA interactome or ENCORI and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay.ResultsThe levels of hsa_circ_0007121 and PGF were significantly declined in PE placental tissues and HTR-8/SVneo cells, whereas miR-182-5p had an opposite result. Downregulation of hsa_circ_0007121 obviously inhibited HTR-8/SVneo cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT, while upregulation of hsa_circ_0007121 promoted this process. Besides, miR-182-5p was a target gene of hsa_circ_0007121 and could target PGF. Further analysis indicated that hsa_circ_0007121 regulated the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of HTR-8/SVneo cells via altering PGF expression by interacting with miR-182-5p.ConclusionHsa_circ_0007121 mediated the progression of PE via miR-182-5p/PGF axis.