Fig. 3

CircFOXO3 operates like a sponge of miR-214-3p, consequently raising IKK-β expression in MLE12 cells. A A natural miR-214-3p–binding site is predicted in circFOXO3. B MLE12 cells were cotransfected with either the wild-type or mutant circFOXO3 reporter plasmid and either the miR-214-3p mimic or miR-control mimic followed by a luciferase reporter assay. C A physical association of circFOXO3 with miR-214-3p and AGO2 was determined by the RIP assay in 2.5% CSE–treated MLE12 cells. D The prospective binding site for miR-214-3p predicted in IKK-β mRNA. E MLE12 cells were individually cotransfected with either the wild-type or mutant IKK-β 3'UTR reporter plasmid and either the miR-214-3p mimic or miR-control mimic followed by a luciferase reporter assay. F Expression levels of IKK-β mRNA in circFOXO3 knockdown MLE12 cells or miR-214-3p–overexpressing MLE12 cells after treatment with 2.5% CSE, according to qRT-PCR analyses. G Western blot analyses of protein levels of IKK-β, p-IκBα, p-p65, p65, and GAPDH in the indicated cell groups. H Some patterns of p65 translocation were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy in the indicated cell groups. **P < 0.01