CircSHOC2 Knockdown Alleviates High Glucose-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Pyroptosis via Targeting miR-145/FOXO1...

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Diabetes Complications

Background:

• Pyroptosis contributes to vascular endothelial cell damage in diabetes.
• The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in high glucose (HG)-induced endothelial cell pyroptosis remains largely unknown.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for addressing diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the function and mechanism of circRNA circSHOC2 in pyroptosis of vascular endothelial cells.
• To explore the role of circSHOC2 in high glucose-induced endothelial cell dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to high glucose (HG).
• Assessed circSHOC2 expression levels.
• Performed functional cellular assays to evaluate the impact of circSHOC2 silencing on pyroptosis.
• Investigated the molecular interactions involving circSHOC2, miR-145, and FOXO1.

Main Results:

• circSHOC2 expression was significantly upregulated in HG-induced HUVECs.
• Silencing circSHOC2 effectively repressed HG-induced pyroptosis in HUVECs.
• Mechanistically, circSHOC2 acts as a miRNA sponge for miR-145, with FOXO1 as a downstream target of miR-145.

Conclusions:

• circSHOC2 plays a critical role in promoting pyroptosis of vascular endothelial cells under high glucose conditions.
• The circSHOC2/miR-145/FOXO1 axis is implicated in the pathogenesis of HG-induced endothelial cell injury.
• These findings offer novel insights into potential therapeutic targets for diabetic cardiovascular complications.