Cancer Management and Research (Nov 2020)

Circ-ATP5H Induces Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Expression by Regulating miR-138-5p/TNFAIP3 Axis

  • Jiang W,
  • Wang L,
  • Zhang Y,
  • Li H

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 12
pp. 11031 – 11040

Abstract

Read online

Wenxiu Jiang,1,* Lili Wang,2,* Yajuan Zhang,1 Hongliang Li1 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The People’s Hospital of Danyang, Affiliated Danyang Hospital of Nantong University, Danyang City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Research, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hongliang LiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The People’s Hospital of Danyang, Affiliated Danyang Hospital of Nantong University, No. 2 Xinmin West Road, Danyang 212300, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 511-86553015Email [email protected]: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important regulatory role in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the function of hsa_circ_0006942 (circ-ATP5H) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated HCC and its underlying mechanism.Methods: The levels of circ-ATP5H, miR-138-5p and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot assay. The copies of HBV DNA were examined using qRT-PCR. The levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the interactions among circ-ATP5H, miR-138-5p and TNFAIP3.Results: Circ-ATP5H and TNFAIP3 levels were increased, while miR-138-5p level was reduced in HBV-positive HCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of circ-ATP5H hindered HBV DNA replication and decreased HBsAg and HBeAg levels in HBV-infected cells. Circ-ATP5H silencing suppressed HBV replication and expression by regulating miR-138-5p. Moreover, miR-138-5p blocked HBV replication and expression via targeting TNFAIP3. Furthermore, circ-ATP5H up-regulated TNFAIP3 via absorbing miR-138-5p.Conclusion: Circ-ATP5H promoted HBV replication and expression through modulating miR-138-5p/TNFAIP3 axis, suggesting a new biomarker for HBV-related HCC treatment.Keywords: hepatitis B virus, hepatocellular carcinoma, circ-ATP5H, miR-138-5p, TNFAIP3

Keywords