Protective effects of hsa_circ_0072568 on interleukin‑1β‑stimulated human chondrocytes are mediated via the miR‑382‑5p/TOP1 axis

Circular RNA (circRNA) dysregulation has been linked to osteoarthritis (OA). The present study investigated the involvement of hsa_circ_0072568 (circ0072568) in OA. The expression of circ0072568 was detected in OA tissues and interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated human chondrocytes. After performing dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays, MTT, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis were used to assess the functions of circ0072568 in IL-1β-induced inflammation in chondrocytes in vitro. Circ0072568 was inhibited in OA tissues and the cell model in vitro. Circ0072568 overexpression protected the chondrocytes against IL-1β-induced inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) breakdown. Circ0072568 directly attached to microRNA (miR)-382-5p and enhanced the production of topoisomerase 1 (TOP1). Furthermore, miR-382-5p overexpression or TOP1 knockdown attenuated the effects of circ0072568 in IL-1β-stimulated human chondrocytes. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the Circ0072568/miR-382-5p/TOP1 axis is involved in inflammation and ECM degradation in OA. These findings may contribute to the development of potential therapeutic strategies for OA.