Conclusions
the CircPlek/miR-135b-5p/TGF-βR1 axis may exert important functions in SCI and is a potential therapeutic target.
Methods
We predicted a regulatory relationship between CircPlek and miR-135b-5p, which showed the most obvious decrease in post-SCI expression. We established the CircPlek/miR-135b-5p/transforming growth factor-beta receptor type I (TGF-βR1) axis using a bioinformatics approach and further evaluated the potential function of the interaction network in vitro.
Results
We confirmed that in TGF-β1-induced fibroblasts, the overexpression of miR-135b-5p or/and inhibition of CircPlek inhibited fibrosis activation via the Smad pathway. Inhibitors of miR-135b-5p had antagonistic effects on CircPlek. Conclusions: the CircPlek/miR-135b-5p/TGF-βR1 axis may exert important functions in SCI and is a potential therapeutic target.