CircSAMD4A contributes to cell doxorubicin resistance in osteosarcoma by regulating the miR-218-5p/KLF8 axis

Circular RNA sterile alpha motif domain containing 4A (circSAMD4A) was found to be differentially expressed in osteosarcoma and contributed to the tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma. However, the role of circSAMD4A in doxorubicin (DXR) resistance of osteosarcoma is yet to be elucidated. Levels of circSAMD4A, microRNA (miR)-218-5p and Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) were detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was applied to detect the protein levels of KLF8, cyclin D1 and p21. Cell viability, cell cycle, migration and invasion were analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. The interaction between miR-218-5p and circSAMD4A or KLF8 was verified using dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation assay. In vivo experiments were performed using murine xenograft models. CircSAMD4A and KLF8 were elevated in osteosarcoma, and knockdown of circSAMD4A or KLF8 sensitized osteosarcoma cells to DXR by mediating resistant cell viability, migration and invasion inhibition, and cell cycle arrest in vitro. miR-218-5p was decreased in osteosarcoma, and miR-218-5p inhibition enhanced DXR resistance. Besides, miR-218-5p was found to bind to circSAMD4A or KLF8, and subsequent rescue experiments indicated that miR-218-5p inhibition reversed the inhibitory effects of circSAMD4A silencing on DXR resistance, and silencing miR-218-5p enhanced DXR resistance by targeting KLF8 in osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, circSAMD4A could indirectly regulate KLF8 via miR-218-5p. Additionally, circSAMD4A knockdown enhanced the cytotoxicity of DXR in osteosarcoma in vivo via regulating miR-218-5p and KLF8. In all, circSAMD4A enhanced cell DXR resistance in osteosarcoma by regulating the miR-218-5p/KLF8 axis, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for therapy-resistant osteosarcoma.