FIGURE 5.

circ_0125310 regulates IGF1R/p38 expression and promoted proliferation and fibrosis of MCs cells by acting as miR‐422a sponge. A, B, and C, The expression level of IGF1R was upregulated by LV‐circ_0125310, but the expression level of IGF1R was downregulated by sh‐circ_0125310. D, The mutant‐type reporter gene (Mut‐IGF1R reporter) was established, which binds sites of miR‐422a and IGF1R was knockout. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the relationship between circ_0125310 and IGF1R. E, F and G, The expression level of p38 was upregulated by LV‐circ_0125310, but the expression level of p38 was downregulated by sh‐circ_0125310. H and I, Western blotting results showed that the expression level of p38 was upregulated in MCs treated with LV‐circ_0125310, but this promotion was restored when IGF1R was downregulated in MCs. J, The CCK8 assays indicated that the proliferation of MCs was promoted by LV‐circ_0125310, but this promotion was restored when MCs was transfected by mimic‐miR‐422a. K, The protein expression level of p‐cadherin and ZO‐1 was upregulated in MCs treated with LV‐circ_0125310, but this upregulation was restored when MCs were transfected by mimic‐miR‐422a