Exosome-derived circ0009910 promotes pituitary adenoma cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT through the miR-106b-5p/STAT3 axis

Objective: To explore whether exosome-derived circ0009910 can transcellularly regulate the growth of pituitary adenoma cells and to further explore the possible mechanisms of its action. Methods: Transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle size analysis used to observe the morphology and size of the exosomes. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR) used to determine the expression of circ_0009910, miR-106b-5p and STAT3. Western blotting used to assess the expression of exosomal marker proteins, p-STAT3, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-Ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine(EdU) assays used to determine the proliferative capacity of the cells. Transwell assays were performed to assess the migratory and invasive capacity of the cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) used to determine the expression level of GH. A nude mouse xenograft model was established to observe the effects of exosome-derived circ0009910 on transplanted tumors in nude mice. Result: circ0009910 can be transferred to other cells via exosomes and knock down the expression of circ0009910 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of pituitary adenoma cells, reduce GH expression, and regulate the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins; miR-106b-5p is a molecular sponge of circ0009910 and can partially reverse its procarcinogenic effect of circ0009910 in pituitary adenoma, and STAT3 is a target gene of miR-106b-5p. In addition, circ0009910 knockdown inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: Exosome-derived circ0009910 promotes pituitary adenoma progression and regulates EMT through the miR-106b-5p/STAT3 axis.

Publication History

Received: 17 March 2024

Accepted after revision: 13 March 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
05 May 2025