hsa_circ_0131457 regulates SFRP2 through miR-636 to inhibit the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background: Circular RNA plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of pancreatic cancer. However, the existence of hsa_circ_0131457 has not been reported yet, necessitating further research. Methods: The expression level of SOX4 in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues was measured using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The correlation between the expression level of SOX4 in pancreatic cancer tissues and clinicopathological features was analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test. The survival curve of pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The circRNA regulating SOX4 was predicted through bioinformatics and subsequently verified in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. Bioinformatics was also employed to predict the miRNA and target genes, and a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed. The expression of SFRP2 in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues was measured using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed. Lastly, the biological function of SFRP2 was investigated through bioinformatics analysis. Result: The expression of SOX4 was significantly up-regulated in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. It is also associated with tumor size and T stage, which leads to a poor prognosis. qRT-PCR detection of pancreatic cancer tissue samples from 9 patients revealed a significantly lower expression of hsa_circ_0131457. Further bioinformatics analysis was conducted to establish the hsa_circ_0131457-miR-636-SFRP2 regulation network. Analysis of the target gene SFRP2 demonstrated a significant down-regulation in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells. SFRP2 was found to be negatively correlated with preoperative direct bilirubin, tumor size, T stage, and tumor differentiation, while positively correlated with overall survival time of patients. Conclusion: It is inferred that the hsa_circ_0131457/ miR-636/SFRP2 regulatory mechanism may inhibit the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.