Microarray expression profile and bioinformatics analysis of circular RNAs in the phenotypic switching of rat vascular smooth muscle cells: a preliminary study

In order to further study the role of circular RNA in the phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the differential expression profile of circRNA in the phenotypic transition of VSMCs induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) was screened using chip technology. Vascular smooth muscle cells from rat thoracic aorta were induced with 20ng/ml PDGF-BB as the experimental group and compared with the control group. After induction for 24 hours, the differentially expressed circRNA was screened by circular RNA chip. In the experimental group induced by PDGF-BB and the control group, three samples were selected for circular RNA chip screening. According to FC ≥ 1.5; P <0.05, 6 differentially expressed circRNAs were screened out and their differential expression was further verified by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The interaction between these circRNAs and miRNAs was predicted through bioinformatics analysis, and further studies were carried out using GO and KEGG pathway analysis