Circular RNA expression profiling identifies novel biomarkers in uterine leiomyoma

Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been identified in the development and progression of multiple human diseases. However, the significance of circRNAs in uterine leiomyoma (ULM) remains to be elucidated. Here, we aim to explore the expression profile of circRNAs in ULM and the potential of cicRNAs to be used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. Methods Global circRNA expression Profiles for ULM was performed by microarray in ULM tissue and matched adjacent normal myometrium counterpart. Bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR validation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) diagnostic accuracy was applied for differentially expressed circRNAs. Cell proliferation and spheroid formation assay were performed to assess the functional role of candidate circRNA. Results 579 up- and 625 down-regulated circRNAs were identified between ULMs and adjacent normal myometrium tissues. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that most differentially expressed circRNAs participate in pathways were related to pathological processes of ULM. The qRT-PCR validation results for 6 circRNAs (hsa_circ_0083920, hsa_circ_0056686, hsa_circ_0062558, hsa_circ_0020376, hsa_circ_0043597, hsa_circ_0026353, and circ_0017248) matched the microarray results. ROC analysis showed that hsa_circ_0083920, hsa_circ_0056686, hsa_circ_0062558, hsa_circ_0020376, and hsa_circ_0043597 could accurately distinguish the ULM samples from the myometrium samples. Additionally, hsa_circ_0056686 was validated to be upregulated in ULM and was associated with the leiomyoma size (P = 0.0446). Reduction of endogenous hsa_circ_0056686 expression significantly suppressed leiomyoma cell proliferation and spheroid formation capacity. Conclusions This study provides an integrated analysis of circRNAs in ULM, and gives new insight into the complex epigenetic mechanisms of ULM. Aberrantly expressed circRNAs may contribute to the pathogenesis of ULM and hsa_circ_0056686 might be a potential therapeutic target.