Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the regulation of various diseases, including periodontitis.The objective of this study was to analyze the biological role and regulatory mechanism of circ_0066881 in LPS-induced periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs).Circ_0066881, microRNA-144-5p (miR-144-5p) and retinoid acid-related orphan receptor A (RORA) levels were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay.Cell viability detection was performed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay.Cell apoptosis was assessed through flow cytometry and caspase-3 Satellite Accessories activity assay.
The protein analysis was completed via Western blot.Inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA.The target interaction was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay.The level of circ_0066881 was down-regulated in periodontitis tissues.Overexpression of circ_0066881 relieved LPS-induced cell viability inhibition ORG ALPHABET SOUP and apoptosis or inflammation promotion in PDLCs.
Circ_0066881 could bind to miR-144-5p.The protective function of circ_0066881 was achieved by sponging miR-144-5p in PDLCs.Circ_0066881 acts as a miR-144-5p sponge to mediate the RORA level.Inhibition of miR-144-5p attenuated LPS-induced cell injury via targeting RORA.All these results demonstrated that circ_0066881 partly prevented LPS-evoked cell dysfunction in PDLCs through miR-144-5p-mediated up-regulation of RORA.