CircBTBD7-420aa Encoded by hsa_circ_0000563 Regulates the Progression of Atherosclerosis and Construction of circBTBD7-420aa Engineered Exosomes.

Circular RNAs are associated with cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, but the mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. We found a new protein, circBTBD7-420aa, encoded by hsa_circ_0000563. Our results suggest that circBTBD7-420aa may inhibit the abnormal proliferation and migration of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by promoting SLC3A2 degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In addition, we constructed engineered exosomes loaded with circBTBD7-420aa that can target vascular smooth muscle cells by modifying peptide fragments targeting osteopontin. This study suggests that circBTBD7-420aa may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis and serve as a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease.