Circ_0001947 promotes cell proliferation, invasion, migration and inflammation and inhibits apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes through miR-671-5p/STAT3 axis.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as vital regulators in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to explore the functions and mechanisms of circ_0001947 in RA. The expression of circ_0001947, microRNA-671-5p (miR-671-5p) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5'-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry analysis, transwell assay and wound-healing assay were performed to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration. The concentrations of inflammatory factors were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the relationships of circ_0001947, miR-671-5p and STAT3. Circ_0001947 was upregulated in RA patients and RA-FLSs. Knockdown of circ_0001947 repressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration and inflammatory response and facilitated apoptosis in RA-FLSs. Circ_0001947 served as the sponge for miR-671-5p and the inhibitory effect of circ_0001947 in RA-FLS progression was reversed by miR-671-5p inhibition. STAT3 was the target gene of miR-671-5p. MiR-671-5p overexpression restrained RA-FLS growth, invasion, migration and inflammation and promoted apoptosis, but STAT3 upregulation reversed the impacts. Circ_0001947 contributed to the progression of RA-FLSs by elevating STAT3 through adsorbing miR-671-5p.