Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the functional role of circular RNA circDCUN1D4 in HCC progression and its potential therapeutic implications. It was found that HCC patients exhi...

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Main Authors: Hongyu Li, Bing Su, Yan Jiang, Boyang Zhang, Rulong Du, Can Song, Bin Hou, Kun Xu, Lida Wu, Yuchun Gu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Molecular Cancer
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02300-2
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author Hongyu Li
Bing Su
Yan Jiang
Boyang Zhang
Rulong Du
Can Song
Bin Hou
Kun Xu
Lida Wu
Yuchun Gu
author_facet Hongyu Li
Bing Su
Yan Jiang
Boyang Zhang
Rulong Du
Can Song
Bin Hou
Kun Xu
Lida Wu
Yuchun Gu
author_sort Hongyu Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the functional role of circular RNA circDCUN1D4 in HCC progression and its potential therapeutic implications. It was found that HCC patients exhibiting higher levels of circDCUN1D4 demonstrated a more favorable survival rate. Furthermore, we revealed that circDCUN1D4 suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, circDCUN1D4 was identified as a sponge for miR-590-5p, leading to the downregulation of its downstream target, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). Importantly, circDCUN1D4 administration through In vivo jet-PEI exhibited a robust inhibitory effect on tumor progression without causing notable toxicity in mice. Overall, our findings highlight circDCUN1D4 as a promising therapeutic candidate for HCC, unraveling its intricate regulatory role through the miR-590-5p/TIMP3 axis. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential clinical applications of circRNA-based therapies for HCC.
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institution DOAJ
issn 1476-4598
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher BMC
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series Molecular Cancer
spelling doaj-art-9ac26a4fd017427d88b447ae907e9fb92025-08-20T02:49:26ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982025-03-0124111710.1186/s12943-025-02300-2Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axisHongyu Li0Bing Su1Yan Jiang2Boyang Zhang3Rulong Du4Can Song5Bin Hou6Kun Xu7Lida Wu8Yuchun Gu9College of Chemistry and Lie Science, Beijing University of TechnologyCollege of Chemistry and Lie Science, Beijing University of TechnologyDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)Allife Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Economic and Technological Development ZoneAllife Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Economic and Technological Development ZoneAllife Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Economic and Technological Development ZoneAllife Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Economic and Technological Development ZoneCollege of Chemistry and Lie Science, Beijing University of TechnologyAllife Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Economic and Technological Development ZoneAllife Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd. Economic and Technological Development ZoneAbstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the functional role of circular RNA circDCUN1D4 in HCC progression and its potential therapeutic implications. It was found that HCC patients exhibiting higher levels of circDCUN1D4 demonstrated a more favorable survival rate. Furthermore, we revealed that circDCUN1D4 suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, circDCUN1D4 was identified as a sponge for miR-590-5p, leading to the downregulation of its downstream target, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). Importantly, circDCUN1D4 administration through In vivo jet-PEI exhibited a robust inhibitory effect on tumor progression without causing notable toxicity in mice. Overall, our findings highlight circDCUN1D4 as a promising therapeutic candidate for HCC, unraveling its intricate regulatory role through the miR-590-5p/TIMP3 axis. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential clinical applications of circRNA-based therapies for HCC.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02300-2circDCUN1D4Hepatocellular carcinomamiR-590-5pTIMP3
spellingShingle Hongyu Li
Bing Su
Yan Jiang
Boyang Zhang
Rulong Du
Can Song
Bin Hou
Kun Xu
Lida Wu
Yuchun Gu
Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis
Molecular Cancer
circDCUN1D4
Hepatocellular carcinoma
miR-590-5p
TIMP3
title Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis
title_full Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis
title_fullStr Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis
title_full_unstemmed Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis
title_short Circular RNA circDCUN1D4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the miR-590-5p/ TIMP3 axis
title_sort circular rna circdcun1d4 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma development via targeting the mir 590 5p timp3 axis
topic circDCUN1D4
Hepatocellular carcinoma
miR-590-5p
TIMP3
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02300-2
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