Hsa_circ_0008274 sponging miR-199a-3p affects the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Objectives Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a malignant liver tumor with high invasiveness and poor prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can regulate the development of various diseases. Hsa_circ_0008274 exerts a regulatory effect in gastric cancer, but its regulatory impact in ICC has not been studied. This article aims to elucidate the regulatory role of hsa_circ_0008274 through miR-199a-3p in ICC. Methods The levels of hsa_circ_0008274, miR-199a-3p, and vimentin were evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of ICC cells were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), transwell, and cell flow cytometry assay, respectively. The interplay between hsa_circ_0008274 and miR-199a-3p was detected by dual-luciferase assay. Results Hsa_circ_0008274 is upregulated in ICC tissues and cells, while miR-199a-3p is downregulated. The research results revealed that hsa_circ_0008274 can promote ICC cells’ viability, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process while inhibiting apoptosis. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0008274 regulates ICC development by sponging miR-199a-3p. Conclusions Hsa_circ_0008274 acts on miR-199a-3, thereby inhibiting the expression of miR-199a-3p, and subsequently promoting the occurrence and development of ICC.