CircHSPG2 knockdown attenuates hypoxia-induced apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in human AC16 cardiomyocytes by regulating the miR-1184/MAP3K2 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as vital regulators in cardiovascular diseases, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, the function and mechanism of circRNA heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (circHSPG2) in hypoxia-induced injury in AC16 cardiomyocytes were investigated. AC16 cells were stimulated with hypoxia to establish an AMI cell model in vitro. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot assays were performed to quantify the expression levels of circHSPG2, microRNA-1184 (miR-1184), and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2). Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to measure cell viability. Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the expression of inflammatory factors. Dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down assays were used to analyze the relationship between miR-1184 and circHSPG2 or MAP3K2. In AMI serum, circHSPG2 and MAP3K2 mRNA were highly expressed and miR-1184 was down-regulated. Hypoxia treatment elevated HIF1α expression and repressed cell growth and glycolysis. Moreover, hypoxia promoted cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in AC16 cells. Hypoxia-induced circHSPG2 expression in AC16 cells. CircHSPG2 knockdown alleviated hypoxia-induced AC16 cell injury. CircHSPG2 directly targeted miR-1184, and miR-1184 targeted and suppressed MAP3K2. Inhibition of miR-1184 or overexpression of MAP3K2 abolished the alleviated effect of circHSPG2 knockdown on hypoxia-induced AC16 cell injury. Overexpression of miR-1184 relieved hypoxia-induced impairment in AC16 cells by MAP3K2. CircHSPG2 could regulate MAP3K2 expression through miR-1184. CircHSPG2 knockdown protected AC16 cells from hypoxia-induced injury by regulating the miR-1184/MAP3K2 cascade.