circROCK1 Promotes septic myocardial injury through regulating miR-96-5p/OXSR1 axis

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular Biology
• Sepsis Research

Background:

• Sepsis can lead to myocardial injury, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.
• Circular RNA Rho-associated kinase 1 (circROCK1) is upregulated in sepsis.
• The role of circROCK1 in sepsis-induced myocardial injury requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the biological function of circROCK1 in sepsis-induced myocardial injury.
• To elucidate the downstream molecular mechanism of circROCK1 in this context.
• To explore circROCK1 as a potential therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

• Detection of circROCK1 and miR-96-5p expression in septic patients and a mouse model.
• In vivo manipulation of circROCK1 and miR-96-5p levels.
• Assessment of cardiac function and myocardial injury markers.
• Analysis of inflammatory factors, NF-κB, and OXSR1 expression.
• Dual luciferase reporter assays to confirm molecular interactions.

Main Results:

• circROCK1 and OXSR1 were upregulated, while miR-96-5p was downregulated in sepsis.
• circROCK1 levels correlated with sepsis severity markers.
• Silencing circROCK1 improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial damage and inflammation.
• circROCK1 and OXSR1 target miR-96-5p, forming a regulatory axis.

Conclusions:

• circROCK1 promotes myocardial injury in sepsis by modulating the miR-96-5p/OXSR1 axis.
• circROCK1 represents a promising therapeutic target for septic myocardial dysfunction.