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Circular RNA cMTO1 Promotes PTEN Expression Through Sponging miR-181b-5p in Liver Fibrosis

Hui Jin1, Chunxue Li2, Peihong Dong3

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|August 28, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Circular RNA cMTO1 inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and may be a therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. It functions by regulating microRNA-181b-5p and PTEN expression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key regulators in cancer biology.
  • cMTO1 (hsa_circ_0007874) acts as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • The role of cMTO1 in liver fibrosis remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of cMTO1 in liver fibrosis.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying cMTO1's role in hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation.
  • To assess cMTO1 as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo and in vitro studies of cMTO1 expression and function during liver fibrosis.
  • Luciferase activity and pull-down assays to analyze the interaction between cMTO1 and microRNA-181b-5p (miR-181b-5p).
  • Immunofluorescence analysis to assess the impact of cMTO1 on fibrotic markers (α-SMA, type I collagen).

Main Results:

  • cMTO1 expression was reduced in cirrhotic livers, fibrotic mouse livers, and activated HSCs.
  • Restoring cMTO1 inhibited HSC proliferation and suppressed α-SMA and type I collagen expression.
  • cMTO1 interacts with miR-181b-5p, which targets PTEN, and this interaction mediates cMTO1's inhibitory effect on HSC activation.

Conclusions:

  • cMTO1 inhibits HSC activation, partly via miR-181b-5p-mediated PTEN expression.
  • cMTO1 demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.
  • Further research into cMTO1's regulatory network in liver fibrosis is warranted.
Keywords:
PTENcMTO1hepatic stellate cellliver fibrosismiR-181b-5p

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