Fig. 4

CircIBTK could induce DNA methylation via miR-29b in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). a Global DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 42 patients with SLE and 35 healthy controls (HC) compared using the unpaired Student’s t test. b, c Correlation between global DNA methylation and expression of circIBTK or miR-29b analyzed with Spearman’s analysis. d DNA methylation in PBMCs from patients with SLE, transfected with miR-29b mimics, circIBTK expression plasmids, NC oligonucleotides, or empty vector. e DNA methylation in PBMCs from HC, transfected with miR-29b inhibitor, circIBTK siRNA or NC oligonucleotides. Results are represented as mean ± SD (n = 3). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01