Circ_0080940 Regulates miR-139-5p/CTGF Pathway to Promote the Proliferation, Migration, Extracellular Matrix Deposition of Human Tenon's Capsule Fibroblasts.

Purpose: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been identified as an important regulator for glaucoma progression. Our study aims to reveal the circ_0080940 roles in glaucoma progression.

Methods: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was used to treat human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) to mimic glaucoma cell models. Cell function was determined by cell counting kit 8 assay, EdU assay and wound healing assay. Protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure RNA expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to evaluate RNA interaction.

Results: Our data confirmed that TGF-β1 induced HTFs proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Circ_0080940 was highly expressed in glaucoma patients, and its knockdown inhibited TGF-β1-induced proliferation, migration and ECM deposition in HTFs. Circ_0080940 sponged miR-139-5p, and anti-miR-139-5p revoked the effect of si-circ_0080940 on the biological functions of TGF-β1-induced HTFs. CTGF was targeted by miR-139-5p, and overexpressed CTGF overturned the inhibition effect of miR-139-5p on the biological functions of TGF-β1-induced HTFs. Furthermore, CTGF expression could be positively regulated by circ_0080940.

Conclusion: To sum up, we confirmed that circ_0080940 contributed to glaucoma progression by miR-139-5p/CTGF axis.