Fig. 4.

circ_0086296 serves as a sponge for miR-576-3p. A Graphic illustration displaying overlapping of the miRNAs target to circ_0086296 by RNAhybrid, PITA, and miRanda. B Schematic illustration showing the miRNA putative binding sequences with circ_0086296. C Relative levels of candidate miRNAs in plaque tissues were measured via qRT-PCR. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001 versus the relative control group. D Relative expression of candidate miRNAs in HUVECs. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001 versus the relative control group. E Schematic illustration presenting the putative binding area for miR-576-3p associated with circ_0086296. F The luciferase activity of circ_0086296 in HEK293T cells transfected with miR-576-3p mimics was verified via a luciferase reporter assay. G RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was performed using the anti-AGO2 antibody, and the enrichment of circ_0086296 and miR-576-3p was detected via qRT-PCR. H The colocalization of circ_0086296 and miR-576-3p in HUVECs was measured via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (scale bar, 10 μm). I Relative miR-576-3p expression levels in HUVECs infected with circ_0086296 overexpression vector or sh-circ_0086296 vectors were measured via qRT-PCR. **p < 0.001 versus the shNC group. ^##p < 0.001 versus the OE-NC group. J Relative circ_0086296 expression in HUVECs infected with miR-576-3p mimics or inhibitors was measured. K The viability of HUVECs infected with sh-circ_0086296 and miR-576-3p inhibitor was determined via CCK-8 assay. **p < 0.001 versus the oxLDL + shcirc + miR-NC group. ^##p < 0.001 versus the sham + shcirc + miR-NC group. L Detection of the migration potential of HUVECs infected with sh-circ_0086296 and miR-576-3p inhibitor. **p < 0.001 versus the oxLDL + shcirc + miR-NC group. ^##p < 0.001 versus the sham + shcirc + miR-NC group. M Detection of the vasculogenic capability of HUVECs infected with sh-circ_0086296 and miR-576-3p inhibitor. **p < 0.001 versus the oxLDL + shcirc + miR-NC group. ^##p < 0.001 versus the sham + shcirc + miR-NC group