Differential expression of circular RNAs in bone marrow‐derived exosomes from essential thrombocythemia patients

Circular RNAs (circRNA) are closely associated with pathogenesis of various hematological diseases. However, litter is known about the potential functions of circRNAs in essential thrombocythemia (ET) development. The circRNA profiles alterations in bone marrow of ET patients were mainly investigated in this study. The sizes of exosomes derived from human bone marrow tissues were validated by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) method. CD63 and TSG101 expressions in exosomes were analyzed by western blotting. The profiles and differential expression of circRNAs in bone-derived exosomes were characterized by high-throughput sequencing. Herein, circular structures and expression of circRNAs were verified by Sanger sequencing and RT-PCR, respectively. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were predicted using the Cytoscape software. And we detected the effect of circ_0014614 on the transformation of K562 cells into megakaryocytes. Exosomes derived from bone marrow of ET patients and healthy volunteers showed a diameter between 70 and 140 nm and expressed high CD63 and TSG101. Meanwhile, the circRNA profiles were significantly altered in bone marrow-derived exosomes from ET patients, among which circDAP3, circASXL1 and circRUNX1 were significantly down-regulated in ET patients, thus conferring a new insight into the role of circRNAs in the pathogenesis of ET. Besides, circRNA-encoding genes and miRNA-mRNA networks targeted by these three circRNA were involved in various biological processes and signaling pathways. And circ_0014614 could inhibit K562 cells differentiate into megakaryocytes. The predictions of potential function of these three differentially expressed circRNAs along with their interaction with specific miRNAs, which could provide a basis for circRNA-based ET diagnosis and treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.