Aims
Circular RNA (circRNA) is closely related to atherosclerosis (AS) incidence and progression, but its regulatory mechanism in AS needs further elucidation. AS development is significantly influenced by abnormal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) growth and migration. This study explored the potential protein role of circLARP1B in VSMC proliferation and migration.
Background and aims
Circular RNA (circRNA) is closely related to atherosclerosis (AS) incidence and progression, but its regulatory mechanism in AS needs further elucidation. AS development is significantly influenced by abnormal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) growth and migration. This study explored the potential protein role of circLARP1B in VSMC proliferation and migration.
Conclusions
Our results suggested that circLARP1B could promote VSMCs growth and migration through the encoded protein circLARP1B-243aa. Therefore, it could be a treatment target and biomarker for AS.
Methods
We performed whole-transcriptome sequencing in human normal arterial intima and advanced atherosclerotic plaques to screen for differentially expressed circRNAs. The sequencing
Results
We found that circLARP1B was downregulated in atherosclerotic plaque tissue and promoted the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. circLARP1B encodes a novel protein with a length of 243 amino acids. Through functional experiments, we confirmed the role of circLARP1B-243aa in enhancing VSMCs migration and proliferation. Mechanistically, circLARP1B-243aa promotes VSMCs migration and growth by upregulating phosphodiesterase 4C to inhibit the cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway. Conclusions: Our results suggested that circLARP1B could promote VSMCs growth and migration through the encoded protein circLARP1B-243aa. Therefore, it could be a treatment target and biomarker for AS.