circRNA-002178 act as a ceRNA to promote PDL1/PD1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified play a vital role in various different types of cancer via sponging miRNAs (microRNAs). However, their role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains largely unclear. In this study, we systematically characterized the circRNA expression profiles in the LUAD cancer tissues and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Three circRNAs were found to be significantly upregulated. Among them, has-circRNA-002178 was further confirmed to be upregulated in the LUAD tissues, and LUAD cancer cells. Subsequently, we also found has-circRNA-002178 could enhance PDL1 expression via sponging miR-34 in cancer cells to induce T-cell exhaustion. More importantly, circRNA-002178 could be detected in exosomes of plasma from LUAD patients and could serve as biomarkers for LUAD early diagnosis. Finally, we found circRNA-002178 could be delivered into CD8⁺ T cells to induce PD1 expression via exosomes. Taken together, our study revealed that circRNA-002178 could act as a ceRNA to promote PDL1/PD1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.