CircRNA_000203 enhances the expression of fibrosis-associated genes by derepressing targets of miR-26b-5p, Col1a2 and CTGF, in cardiac fibroblasts

Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 12:7:40342. doi: 10.1038/srep40342.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in regulating gene expression in diverse biological and pathological processes. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the modulation of circRNA_000203 on expressions of fibrosis-associated genes in cardiac fibroblasts. CircRNA_000203 was shown upregulated in the diabetic mouse myocardium and in Ang-II-induced mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Enforced-expression of circRNA_000203 could increase expressions of Col1a2, Col3a1 and α-SMA in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. RNA pull-down and RT-qPCR assay indicated that circRNA_000203 could specifically sponge miR-26b-5p. Dual luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-26b-5p interacted with 3'UTRs of Col1a2 and CTGF, and circ_000203 could block the interactions of miR-26b-5p and 3'UTRs of Col1a2 and CTGF. Transfection of miR-26b-5p could post-transcriptionaly inhibit expressions of Col1a2 and CTGF, accompanied with the suppressions of Col3a1 and α-SMA in cardiac fibroblasts. Additionally, over-expression of circRNA_000203 could eliminate the anti-fibrosis effect of miR-26b-5p in cardiac fibroblasts. Together, our results reveal that suppressing the function of miR-26b-5p contributes to the pro-fibrosis effect of circRNA_000203 in cardiac fibroblasts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Base Sequence
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism*
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology*
  • Fibrosis
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA, Circular
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Col1a2 protein, mouse
  • Collagen Type I
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn26 microRNA, mouse
  • RNA, Circular
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • RNA