Circular RNA circATP9A promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression by interacting with HuR and by promoting extracellular vesicles-mediated macrophage M2 polarization

BACKGROUND: CircRNA is recognized for its significant regulatory function across various cancers. However, its regulatory role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still largely uncharted. METHODS: Analysis based on public databases is completed using R software. circATP9A was identified by two circRNA datasets of NSCLC from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. To examine the impact of circATP9A on the phenotype of NSCLC, we conducted both in vitro and in vivo functional experiments. The mRNA and protein levels of specific molecules were determined through quantitative real-time PCR and western blot assays. RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to verify the interaction between RNA and protein. The functional role of extracellular vesicles (EVs)-circATP9A on tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization was assessed using co-culture system and cell flow cytometry. RESULTS: Here, we elucidates the functional role of circATP9A in NSCLC. We demonstrated that circATP9A can foster the progression of NSCLC through in vivo and in vitro experiments. From a mechanistic standpoint, circATP9A can interact with the HuR protein to form an RNA–protein complex, subsequently amplifying the mRNA and protein levels of the target gene NUCKS1. Further, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling was identified as the downstream pathways of circATP9A/HuR/NUCKS1 axis. More notably, hnRNPA2B1 can mediate the incorporation of circATP9A into EVs. Subsequently, these EVs containing circATP9A induce the M2 phenotype of TAMs, thereby facilitating NSCLC development. CONCLUSIONS: Our discoveries indicate that circATP9A could serve as a promising diagnostic indicator and a therapeutic target for NSCLC. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-023-02916-6.