Fig. 4

CircMTO1 upregulated RASA1 expression by sponging miR-182-5p. A Putative binding sites for miR-182-5p and RASA1 3′-UTR. B Luciferase activity in VSMC co-transfected with miR-182-5p mimic and pmirg10-RASA1 3′-UTR-WT or pmirg10-RASA1 3′-UTR-Mut vector. C RASA1 mRNA levels in VSMCs co-transfected with miR-182-5p mimic and circMTO1 vector. D RASA1 protein levels in VSMCs co-transfected with miR-182-5p mimic and circMTO1 vector. E RASA1 mRNA level in serum of AS patients (n = 55) and healthy volunteers (n = 55). F Pearson correlation analysis of circMTO1 and RASA1 in serum of AS patients (n = 55). * vs the control group, ^# vs miR-182-5p mock group. **P < 0.01, ^##P < 0.01