Background: Increasingly convincing evidence has revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical regulatory components of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) genesis. However, the expression of circRNAs in HCC and the relevance of circRNAs to HCC progression remain largely unexplained. Methods: qRT-PCR or western blotting was utilized to confirm circ_0001687, miR-140-3p, and Forkhead Box q1 (FOXQ1) levels in HCC tissues or cells. Cell proliferation ability was evaluated via CCK-8 and colony formation assay. The correlation of circ_0001687 or FOXQ1 and miR-140- 3p was determined using dual luciferase reporter assay. Nude mice xenograft tumor model was constructed to verify the effect of circ_0001687 on tumor growth. Results: Circ_0001687 was elevated in HCC. Function assays and the nude mice xenograft tumor model indicated that circ_0001687 acts as a promoting gene in HCC to regulate the proliferation of the tumor cell and foster tumor growth. Further mechanistic exploration revealed that the tumor growth-promoting mechanism of circ_0001687 relied on blocking the inhibitory effect of miR-140- 3p on FOXQ1 and activating FOXQ1 expression Conclusion: This research indicated the role of circ_0001687/miR-140-3p/FOXQ1 network in regulating HCC development. These may provide new insights into the treatment of HCC.

中文翻译：

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Hsa_circ_0001687 作为 ceRNA 通过 miR-140-3p/FOXQ1 轴促进肝细胞癌进展

背景：越来越多令人信服的证据表明，环状RNA（circRNA）是肝细胞癌（HCC）发生的关键调控成分。然而，HCC 中 circRNA 的表达以及 circRNA 与 HCC 进展的相关性在很大程度上仍不清楚。方法：利用 qRT-PCR 或蛋白质印迹来确认 HCC 组织或细胞中的 circ_0001687、miR-140-3p 和 Forkhead Box q1 (FOXQ1) 水平。通过CCK-8和集落形成测定评估细胞增殖能力。使用双荧光素酶报告基因测定法确定circ_0001687或FOXQ1与miR-140-3p的相关性。构建裸鼠异种移植肿瘤模型，验证circ_0001687对肿瘤生长的影响。结果：Circ_0001687 在 HCC 中升高。功能分析和裸鼠异种移植肿瘤模型表明，circ_0001687在HCC中作为促进基因调节肿瘤细胞的增殖并促进肿瘤生长。进一步的机制探索揭示了circ_0001687的促肿瘤生长机制依赖于阻断miR-140-3p对FOXQ1的抑制作用并激活FOXQ1的表达结论：本研究表明了circ_0001687/miR-140-3p/FOXQ1网络在肿瘤生长中的作用。调节 HCC 的发展。这些可能为肝癌的治疗提供新的见解。