Circular RNA ciRS-7 affects the propagation of Cryptosporidium parvum in HCT-8 cells by sponging miR-1270 to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic pathogen responsible for severe enteric diseases in humans and animals. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying host and Cryptosporidium interactions are still not clear. METHODS: To study the roles of circRNAs in host cells during Cryptosporidium infection, the expression profiles of circRNAs in HCT-8 cells infected with C. parvum were investigated using a microarray assay, and the regulatory role of a significantly upregulated circRNA, ciRS-7, was investigated during C. parvum infection. RESULTS: C. parvum infection caused notable alterations in the expression profiles of circRNAs in HCT-8 cells, and a total of 178 (including 128 up- and 50 downregulated) circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed following C. parvum infection. Among them, ciRS-7 was significantly upregulated and regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway by sponging miR-1270 during C. parvum infection. Furthermore, the ciRS-7/miR-1270/relA axis markedly affected the propagation of C. parvum in HCT-8 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that ciRS-7 would promote C. parvum propagation by regulating the miR-1270/relA axis and affecting the NF-κB pathway. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of circRNA during Cryptosporidium infection, and the findings provide a novel view for implementing control strategies against Cryptosporidium infection. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04739-w.