Hsa_circ_0070194 targets the miR-384/HDAC2 axis to enhance proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion of trophoblast cells

Background Preeclampsia (PE) is the most common hypertensive disorder in pregnant women. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of regulatory non-coding RNAs in human diseases, and a handful of circRNAs have been found to participate in PE regulation. The function of hsa_circ_0070194 in PE is unknown. Objective The aims of this study were to explore the biological role and regulatory mechanism of hsa_circ_0070194 in PE progression. Hsa_circ_0070194, microRNA-384 (miR-384) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) detection was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were, respectively, analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8/colony-formation assays and flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were measured by wound healing and transwell assays. Western blot was carried out to determine the protein levels. The target interaction was proved via dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Results Hsa_circ_0070194 level was downregulated in PE samples. HTR-8/SVneo cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion were all promoted by hsa_circ_0070194. Hsa_circ_0070194 acted as a miR-384 sponge. Hsa_circ_0070194 function was achieved partly by sponging miR-384 in HTR-8/SVneo cells. HDAC2 was a target gene of miR-384 and HDAC2 was regulated by hsa_circ_0070194 via the sponge effect on miR-384. MiR-384 targeted HDAC2 to inhibit the progression of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Conclusion This study suggested that hsa_circ_0070194 facilitated trophoblast cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration and invasion by the miR-384/HDAC2 axis. Hsa_circ_0070194 might relieve PE progression in pregnancy women.