UNASSIGNED: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in several important pathological processes and have been used in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of circRNAs in neural tube defects (NTDs).
UNASSIGNED: We characterized circRNA-associated competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in brain tissue of low folate -induced NTDs mouse at embryonic day 13.5 by high-throughput sequencing. The expression levels of Circzfp644, miR-20-5p and Gas7 were detected by RT-PCR. Gas7 and Circzfp644 functions were determined by miRNA-mimics and inhibitors in mouse teratocarcinoma cells (F9 cells), and luciferase gene reporter assay was assessed in the F9 cells. In addition, the expression levels of Circzfp644, miR-20-5p and Gas7 were determined by Nanostring in human NTDs tissues.
UNASSIGNED: We detected 57 circRNA transcripts, 16 miRNAs, and 148 mRNAs that were significantly dysregulated in NTDs brain tissues compared with their expression levels in control (normal) tissues. Circzfp644 shared miRNA response elements with the growth arrest specific 7 ( Gas7) gene and competitively bound with miR-20-5p to increase the expression of Gas7. Downregulation of Circzfp644 and Gas7 and upregulation of miR-20-5p were found in human NTD tissue.
UNASSIGNED: This study provides new perspectives on the role of circRNAs in nervous system development and the pathogenesis of NTDs.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is the most serious type of pancreatitis with high morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanism behind SAP pathogenesis is complex and remains elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as vital regulators of gene expression in various diseases by sponging microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the roles of circRNAs in the pathophysiology of SAP remain unknown. In the present study, next-generation RNA sequencing was utilized to identify circRNA transcripts in the pancreatic tissues from three SAP mice and three matched normal tissues. The differentially expressed circRNAs were confirmed by real-time PCR, and the biological functions of their interaction with miRNAs and mRNAs were analyzed. Our results demonstrate that 56 circRNAs were differentially expressed in SAP mice compared with normal controls. Six differentially expressed circRNAs were confirmed with the sequencing data. Importantly, we characterized a significantly downregulated circRNA derived from the ZFP664 gene in SAP. CircZFP644 was found to be negatively correlated with miR-21-3p, with a perfectly matched binding sequence to miR-21-3p. In conclusion, CircZFP644 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SAP through sponging miR-21-3p. Our findings may provide novel insights regarding the workings of the pathophysiological mechanism of SAP and offer novel targets for SAP.