Exploring the role of circ-GALK2 in vascular smooth muscle cell calcification: mechanisms and implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vascular calcification is associated with atherosclerosis, plaque destabilization and related cardiovascular risk/mortality. A key cell type involved in vascular calcification is the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). Although several studies have reported the role of non-coding RNAs in regulating vascular calcification, the expressions and functions of certain circular RNAs in vascular calcification have not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to identify the differentially expressed circRNAs involved in the calcification of VSMCs and explore the regulatory function and molecular mechanism of certain circRNA.

Methods and results

High-throughput sequencing and qRT‒PCR revealed that circ-GALK2 (hsa_circ_0008488), a circular RNA generated from the GALK2 gene,

SUBMITTER: Jin T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12359971 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature