CircAP2A2 acts as a ceRNA to participate in infantile hemangiomas progression by sponging miR‐382‐5p via regulating the expression of VEGFA

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidences reveal that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial functions in cancer development. However, the expression pattern and roles of circRNAs in infantile hemangiomas (IH) remain unclear. METHODS: In this study, qRT‐PCR was performed to determine the expression of circAP2A2, miR‐382‐5p, and VEGFA in IH tissues and cell lines. Moreover, MTT assay, colony formation, transwell assay, and Western blot analysis were conducted to assess the function of circAP2A2 or miR‐382‐5p on cell proliferation, and migration in vitro, respectively. Also, dual luciferase assay was used to confirm the interactions among circAP2A2, miR‐382‐5p, and VEGFA. RESULTS: CircAP2A2 was confirmed to be highly expressed in IH. CircAP2A2 knockdown or miR‐382‐5p overexpression decreased the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of HemECs and HUVEC cells. CONCLUSION: CircAP2A2 could promote proliferation and invasion of IH by regulating miR‐382‐5p/VEGFA axis.