Identification of a lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network to explore the effects of ricin toxin-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells

Ricin toxin (RT) is a ribosome-inactivating protein derived from the beans of the castor oil plant. Our previous studies have reported that RT can induce the production of inflammatory cytokines and cause inflammatory injury in RAW264.7 cells. In order to explore the various biological processes that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), circular RNA (circRNA) and micro RNA (miRNA) as endogenous non-coding RNAs (ceRNAs) may participate in the pro-inflammatory mechanism, RT (20 ng/mL) treated and normal RAW264.7 cells were firstly sequenced by RNA-seq. By comparing the differentially expressed genes, we obtained 10 hub genes and enriched the inflammatory-related signaling pathways. Based on our results, we concluded a lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. Finally, we verified the key genes and pathways by qRT-PCR, WB and ELISA. From the experiment results, an opening MAPK signaling pathway in TNF signaling pathway via TNFR2 was found involved in RT-induced inflammation. This work provides a reference for searching for ceRNA targets or therapeutic drugs in RT-induced inflammatory injury in the future.