Circular RNA expression profile of H2O2 induced ferroptosis model of human coronary artery endothelial cells

Background and aims: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among the most common type of cardiovascular diseases. The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and ferroptosis in CAD remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the circRNAs expression profile in ferroptosis of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Methods: The ferroptosis induced by H2O2-stimulated oxidative stress in HCAECs and the role of Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) was assessed by the levels of CCK8, oxidized and reduced glutathione (GSSH and GSH), ferrous irons, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid reactive oxygen species (Lipid ROS), PTGS2 and GPX4. The expression profile of circRNAs was characterized by RNA sequencing. Results: LDH, MDA, Lipid ROS, ferrous ions, GSSH and PTGS2 were significantly increased, CCK8, GSH and GPX4 were significantly decreased in H2O2 induced cell damage. Moreover, Fer-1 increased CCK8, GSH and GPX4 levels and decreased LDH, MDA, Lipid ROS, GSSH and PTGS2 levels, which alleviated H2O2 induced cell damage. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and circRNA-protein interactions network were constructed based on differentially expressed circRNAs. In total, 17 downregulated and 18 upregulated circRNAs were identified in H2O2 treated HCAECs by RNA sequencing. Parental genes of circRNAs were analyzed by KEGG and GO, detecting pathways related to ferroptosis. 10 differentially expressed circRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR. Conclusions: These results provide new sight to the character of circRNAs in the progress of HCAECs ferroptosis and contribute a significant data for further investigating the potential mechanisms of CAD. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.