MiR-381-3p interference alleviated circHIPK3 knockdown-induced damage on lung cancer progression. (a) QRT-PCR assay for the relative expression of miR-381-3p in H1975 and A549 cells transfected with miR-NC or miR-381-3p. (b–h) H1975 and A549 cells were transfected with sh-NC, sh-circHIPK3, sh-circHIPK3 + anti-NC, or sh-circHIPK3 + anti-miR. (b) CCK-8 assay for the cell viability of the transfected H1975 and A549 cells. (c) Flow cytometry for the apoptosis of the H1975 and A549 cells. (d) Transwell assay for the migration capacity of the H1975 and A549 cells. (e–g) Assessment of the glucose consumption, lactate production, and the enzyme activity of HK2 of the H1975 and A549 cells. (h) Western blot assay for the protein expression of Ki-67, MMP-9, and HK2 in transfected cells. *P < 0.05.