Hsa_circ_0000711 can serve as a novel biomarker for primary biliary cholangitis by promoting disease progression through the regulation of miR-185-5p and NFATc3

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts. Emerging evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play regulatory roles in autoimmune diseases, but their involvement in PBC remains unclear. This study focused on the hsa_circ_0000711 and its potential mechanism in PBC pathogenesis. The study included 46 PBC patients, 40 healthy controls, and 40 patients with other liver diseases. Human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HiBEpic) were treated with 1 mM glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) to establish a PBC cell model. Hsa_circ_0000711 was overexpressed or knocked down using plasmid transfection and siRNA, respectively. Expression levels were analysed by qPCR/Western blot, cell viability by CCK-8, and hsa_circ_0000711-miR-185-5p interaction by luciferase assay. Serum hsa_circ_0000711 levels were significantly higher in PBC patients compared to healthy controls and other liver disease groups (p