Overexpression of hsa_circ_0002874 promotes resistance of non-small cell lung cancer to paclitaxel by modulating miR-1273f/MDM2/p53 pathway

Background: This study aimed to investigate the aberrant expression of hsa_circ_0002874 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and elucidate associated molecular mechanisms that influence apoptosis and induce paclitaxel (PTX) resistance. Methods: Inhibitors were used to downregulate circRNA or miRNA expression. pCDNA plasmid transfection and mimics were used to upregulate circRNA or miRNA expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to evaluate interactions between miR1273f and MDM2. Xenograft tumor models were used to assess the effect of hsa_circ_0002874 and miR1273f on tumor growth. NSCLC tissues and matched non-cancerous tissues were also collected for correlation analysis. Results: hsa_circ_0002874 acts as a sponge for miR1273f which targets MDM2/P53. The stability of the hsa_circ_0002874/miR1273f/MDM2/P53 pathway was verified by upregulating and downregulating the expression of hsa_circ_0002874 and miR1273f. hsa_circ_0002874 downregulation or miR1273f upregulation reversed the resistance of the A549/Taxol cells in xenograft models. The expression of hsa_circ_0002874 was high, and the level of MDM2 was low in NSCLC tissues. P53 was only weakly expressed in NSCLC tissues with high expression of MDM2. Conclusions: hsa_circ_0002874 is strongly expressed in NSCLC tissues and maybe a potential marker for PTX resistance. hsa_circ_0002874 downregulation could regulate miR1273f/MDM2/P53 signaling pathway to reverse the PTX resistance of NSCLC and induce apoptosis in vitro and vivo.