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Updated: Jul 10, 2025

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Circ_0020123 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression via miR-146a-5p mediated regulation of EIF4G2 expression
Zichun Wei1, Jixian Liu1, Gang Hui1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
Background:
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the initiation and development of cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the role of a circRNA, circ_0020123, in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods:
The expression of circ_0020123, microRNA-146a-5p (miR-146a-5p), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 2 (EIF4G2) mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of cyclin D1, Bax, MMP-9, and EIF4G2. Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay. Flow cytometry assay was applied to determine cell cycle apoptosis. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using transwell assay. The potential relationship between miR-146a-5p and circ_0020123 or EIF4G2 was ascertained by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. The role of circ_0020123 in vivo was explored by xenograft assay.
Results:
Circ_0020123 was upregulated in NSCLC, and circ_0020123 knockdown repressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. Circ_0020123 targeted miR-146a-5p, and miR-146a-5p inhibitor reversed the effects of circ_0020123 knockdown on NSCLC cells. In addition, miR-146a-5p suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting EIF4G2. Moreover, the antitumor role of circ_0020123 knockdown was verified in vivo.
Conclusion:
Knockdown of circ_0020123 inhibited NSCLC cell progression and tumor growth by targeting the miR-146a-5p/EIF4G2 axis.
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