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Updated: Feb 11, 2026
Ex vivo Live Imaging of Lung Metastasis and Their Microenvironment
Published on: February 3, 2016
CircRNF13 regulates the invasion and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma by targeting miR-93-5p
Lin Wang1, Suyao Liu1, Yuan Mao1
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Geriatric Lung Cancer Research Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Geriatric Hospital, Jiangsu Road, No.65, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210000, China.
Abstract:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of non-protein-coding RNAs that are generated from back-splicing. Recent evidence indicates that circRNAs play important roles in tissue development, gene regulation, and carcinogenesis. It was recently demonstrated that circular RNAs can function as sponges for miRNAs. In our study, the clinical implications of circRNF13 were assessed in 50 pathologically diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma samples and their paired peripheral normal lung tissues by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We validated that circRNF13 was almost 2.98-fold down-regulated in cancer tissues. The expression level of circRNF13 was significantly negatively correlated with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis. In vitro experiments indicated that circRNF13 repressed the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Cell fraction analyses and fluorescence in situ hybridization detected that circRNF13 was mostly located in the cytoplasm. Bioinformatic analyses and RIP experiments revealed that circRNF13 could interact with Ago2, an RNA binding protein, and could function as sponge for miR-93-5p. Our data suggest that circRNF13 represents a potential novel biomarker and a therapeutic target of lung adenocarcinoma.
Insights
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) show potential as lung cancer biomarkers. This study found circRNF13 is downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma, inhibiting cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs derived from back-splicing.
- Emerging evidence highlights circRNAs' roles in development, gene regulation, and cancer.
- circRNAs can act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance of circRNF13 in lung adenocarcinoma.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of circRNF13's function in lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure circRNF13 expression in 50 lung adenocarcinoma samples and paired normal tissues.
- In vitro assays to assess the effect of circRNF13 on lung adenocarcinoma cell invasion and metastasis.
- Cellular localization studies (cell fraction analysis, FISH) and bioinformatics/RIP assays to identify circRNF13 interactions.
Main Results:
- circRNF13 was significantly downregulated (2.98-fold) in lung adenocarcinoma tissues compared to normal tissues.
- circRNF13 expression negatively correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis.
- circRNF13 repressed the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro.
- circRNF13 primarily localized to the cytoplasm and acted as a sponge for miR-93-5p by interacting with Ago2.
Conclusions:
- circRNF13 functions as a tumor suppressor in lung adenocarcinoma.
- circRNF13 may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma.
- circRNF13 presents a potential therapeutic target for lung adenocarcinoma treatment.
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