CircAP2A2 acts as a ceRNA to participate in infantile hemangiomas progression by sponging miR‐382‐5p via regulating the expression of VEGFA
Xiaoqi Yuan, Yanan Xu, Zhiqiang Wei, Qi Ding
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing evidences reveal that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial functions in cancer development. However, the expression pattern and roles of circRNAs in infantile hemangiomas (IH) remain unclear. METHODS: In this study, qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expression of circAP2A2, miR-382-5p, and VEGFA in IH tissues and cell lines. Moreover, MTT assay, colony formation, transwell assay, and Western blot analysis were conducted to assess the function of circAP2A2 or miR-382-5p on cell proliferation, and migration in vitro, respectively. Also, dual luciferase assay was used to confirm the interactions among circAP2A2, miR-382-5p, and VEGFA. RESULTS: CircAP2A2 was confirmed to be highly expressed in IH. CircAP2A2 knockdown or miR-382-5p overexpression decreased the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of HemECs and HUVEC cells. CONCLUSION: CircAP2A2 could promote proliferation and invasion of IH by regulating miR-382-5p/VEGFA axis.