CircRNA LRIG3 knockdown inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating miR-223-3p and MAPK/ERK pathway

Introduction Emerging evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play critical roles in tumorigenesis. However, the and molecular mechanisms of circRNA leucine-rich repeat immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 3 (circ_LRIG3) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated. Material methods The expression levels circ_LRIG3, miR-223-3p, mitogen-activated kinase 6 (MAP2K6) were determined by qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry was applied to determine cell cycle distribution apoptosis. Cell proliferation, migration invasion assessed MTT, colony formation, transwell assays. Western blot assay employed measure snail, E-cadherin, MAP2K6, (MAPK), phospho-MAPK (p-MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), phospho-ERKs (p- ERKs). relationship between miR-223-3p circ_LRIG3 or MAP2K6 predicted bioinformatics tools verified dual-luciferase reporter assay. A xenograft tumor model established confirm functions vivo. Results Circ_LRIG3 enhanced while abundance reduced HCC tissues cells. Knockdown inhibited metastasis, increasing MiR-223-3p a target its downregulation reversed inhibitory effect knockdown on progression Moreover, could bind upregulation also abolished suppressive impact interference Additionally, silence suppressed activation MAPK/ERK pathway growth upregulating downregulating MAP2K6. Conclusions through regulating miR-223-3p/MAP2K6 axis inactivating pathway.