LAUSR

Abstract: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, in which circular RNAs play important regulatory roles. This research aimed to explore the biological role of circular RNA Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Transcription Factor Chaperone (circSCAP) (hsa_circ_0001292) in AS development. Real-time PCR or Western blot assay was conducted to analyze RNA or protein expression. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The levels of lipid accumulation–associated indicators and oxidative stress factors were detected using commercial kits. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intermolecular interaction was verified by dual-luciferase reporter analysis or RNA pull-down analysis. CircSCAP and phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) levels were elevated, whereas the miR-221-5p level was decreased in patients with AS and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced THP-1 cells. CircSCAP absence suppressed lipid deposition, inflammation, and oxidative stress in ox-LDL–induced THP-1 cells. MiR-221-5p was a target of circSCAP, and anti–miR-221-5p largely reversed si-circSCAP–induced effects in ox-LDL–induced THP-1 cells. PDE3B was a target of miR-221-5p, and PDE3B overexpression largely counteracted miR-221-5p accumulation–mediated effects in ox-LDL–induced THP-1 cells. NF-κB signaling pathway was regulated by circSCAP/miR-221-5p/PDE3B axis in ox-LDL–induced THP-1 cells. In conclusion, circSCAP facilitated lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress in ox-LDL–induced THP-1 macrophages by regulating miR-221-5p/PDE3B axis.