Knockdown of circular RNA hsa_circ_0003307 inhibits synovial inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Abstract

Background. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has a high disability rate, and an early diagnosis is difficult. Objectives.To explore the possible functions and underlying mechanism of circular RNAs Homo sapiens (hsa)_circ_0003307 in ankylosing spondylitis. Materials and methods.The hsa_circ_0003307 expression levels were investigated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 30 AS patients and 30 healthy controls (HC) using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) were separated from synovial tissues, established as cell lines and cultured for subsequent cell experiments involving transfection with different vectors. The qRT-PCR analysis was used for evaluating the levels of hsa_circ_0003307 in AS-FLS. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway-related protein levels were measured using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between hsa_circ_0003307 and clinical characteristics.Results. The expression level of hsa_circ_0003307 was significantly high in AS patients and was positively associated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). We found that hsa_circ_0003307 overexpression could promote the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and expression of inflammatory cytokines -tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and TNF-α-induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2). However, hsa_circ_0003307 knockdown reduced the expression of TNF-α and TNFAIP2.Conclusions. The expression level of hsa_circ_0003307 was associated with inflammatory response, and it was revealed that hsa_circ_0003307 knockdown could reduce the inflammatory response of AS by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Triptolide alleviates the development of inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis via the NONHSAT227927.1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

“…The efficacy of TPL in treating AS has been confirmed by previous clinical studies (25,26,36). To the best of our knowledge, however, research on the specific mechanism of TPL in treating AS is relatively limited (54). The present study investigated inflammatory pathway to explore the potential of TPL in treatment of AS-FLSs, whereas previous studies have used chondrocytes (25,26).…”

Identifying circRNA-associated-ceRNA networks in juvenile spondyloarthropathies patients.

“…Through CMap analysis, we identi ed ten drugs (azithromycin, oxybenzone, daunorubicin, losartan, apremilast, A-66, apocynin, tri uoperazine, desmopressinacetate, and pasireotide) as potential treatment options for JSpA. Previous studies have shown that the PI3K/AKT pathway plays a signi cant role in the pathogenesis of AS, and the PI3K pathway is highly active in this disease [35][36][37]. A-66 is a PI3K p110α isoform-selective inhibitor that has been found to inhibit cell growth in melanomas [38].…”

Checklists for reporting research in Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine: How to choose a proper one for your manuscript?

“…Examples of papers adhering to respective checklists, published in Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine in 2021 and 2022[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] …”