CircTP63 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by sponging miR-155-5p and upregulating ZBTB18

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of tumor-related death worldwide due to high morbidity and mortality, yet lacking effective biomarkers therapies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group non-coding that regulate gene expression through interacting with miRNAs, implicating in tumorigenesis progression. A novel circRNA, circTP63, was reported be an oncogene HCC. However, its role HCC remains unclear. Methods qRT-PCR used assess mRNA levels CircTP63 90 pairs tumor adjacent normal tissues from patients, one human hepatic epithelial cell line lines. CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, flow cytometry assays were performed detect cellular function circTP63/miR-155-5p/ZBTB18 cells. xenograft mice models established vivo effect circTP63. Bioinformatic analysis, RNA pull-down luciferase determine interaction among circTP63/miR-155-5p/ZBTB18. Results circTP63 significantly upregulated High closely associated stages, lymph node metastasis, poor prognosis patients. Functionally, knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, promoted apoptosis Meanwhile, overexpression enhanced Mechanically, sponge miR-155-5p facilitate ZBTB18 expression, negatively survival rate Furthermore, rescued revealed reduced tumor-promoting on cells induced by can reversed inhibitor or overexpression. Conclusion Our data highlight critical circTP63-miR-155-5p-ZBTB18 regulatory network involved progression, gaining mechanistic insights into circRNAs providing therapeutic targets for treatment.