Circular RNA Eps15-homology domain-containing protein 2 induce resistance of renal cell carcinoma to sunitinib via microRNA-4731-5p/ABCF2 axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are linked with the occurrence and progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, circRNAs’ mechanism in developing resistance to RCC has not been clarified. This research assessed the role and mechanism of circular RNA circ Eps15-homology domain-containing protein 2 (EHD2) in the resistance of sunitinib (SU) to RCC. ACHN, 786-O, 769P, and HEK-293 T cells and RCC tissue samples were used for the investigations. The circEHD2 expression in RCC cells and tissues was determined through RT-qPCR. Association of circEHD2 with RCC histological grade of RCC was done through Chi-square. MiR-4731-5p, ABCF2, and circEHD2 were transfected into RCC cell lines. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the interaction between miR-4731-5p, circEHD2, and ABCF2. MTT assay was used to analyze cell viability, while apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. Colony-formation and transwell experiments were used to assess migration and invasion. The ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily F Member 2 (ABCF2) expression was analyzed through western blot. The results showed increased circEHD2 in SU-resistant RCC tissues and cell lines and implicated in RCC histological grade and SU resistance. Knock-down of circEHD2 down-regulated the resistance of RCC to SU in vitro and vivo; circEHD2 bound to miR-4731-5p to mediate ABCF2 in RCC; ABCF2 rescued the inhibitory effect of circEHD2 knock-down on SU resistance of RCC. In conclusion, circEHD2 enhances RCC resistance to SU via acting as a miR-4731-5p sponge to mediate ABCF2. MiR-4731-5p can target circEHD2 and ABCF2, thus providing a novel and effective therapeutic against renal cell carcinoma.