Fig. 5

CircIBTK regulated the AKT signaling pathway by binding to miR-29b. a miR-29b predicted binding sites and corresponding mutant sites in the 3′ UTR of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) mRNA (wt, wild-type; mut, mutant type). b, c Effects of miR-29b on the expression of PTEN 3′ UTR-containing reporter genes. Luciferase activity was normalized to the value obtained in cells transfected with NC oligonucleotides. d, e Western blot analysis of PTEN expression and AKT phosphorylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy controls (HC), transfected with miR-29b mimics and PBMCs from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), transfected with miR-29b inhibitor. f Western blot analysis of PTEN/AKT signaling-related proteins in PBMCs from patients with SLE, transfected with miR-29b mimics, circIBTK expression plasmids, NC oligonucleotides, or empty vector. g Western blot analysis of PTEN/AKT signaling-related proteins 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 < 0.001