| Expression pattern: |
DN |
| Associated gene: |
STING / STING1 |
| Associated microRNA: |
miR-136-5p |
| Biological function: |
Enhances radiotherapy efficacy by amplifying anti-tumor immunity, increasing tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and elevating IFN-beta via activation of cGAS-STING signaling in dendritic cells. |
| Molecular mechanism: |
Acts as a ceRNA/miRNA sponge for miR-136-5p, relieving suppression of STING (STING1/TMEM173) and activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in DCs; exosomal circTMEM56 mediates tumor cell-to-DC communication. |
| Biological pathway or process: |
STING/IFN (promotes); immune regulation (promotes); ceRNA regulation (promotes) |
| Detected method: |
Q
S
|
| Validation methods: |
RNA-seq; RT-qPCR; Sanger Sequencing; ISH (In Situ Hybridization); Clinical Sample Validation; Survival Analysis; RIP (RNA Immunoprecipitation); Luciferase Reporter Assay; RNA Pull-Down; FISH / smFISH; Bioinformatics Analysis; Western Blot; IF (Immunofluorescence); Transfection; CCK8; Annexin V/PI Flow Cytometry; In Vivo Animal Model; H&E Staining |
| Clinical significance: |
Higher circTMEM56 levels were linked to an improved RT response and better clinical outcomes in patients with HCC; lower circTMEM56 expression was associated with shorter survival and higher recurrence rates after RT. |
| Description: |
In HCC, circTMEM56 (hsa_circ_0005720) is reduced in tumor tissue and low expression associates with worse RT response and prognosis. Mechanistically, exosomal circTMEM56 functions as a ceRNA in the cytoplasm to sponge miR-136-5p, relieving inhibition of STING/STING1 and activating cGAS-STING-IFN signaling in dendritic cells to boost anti-tumor immunity and radiotherapy efficacy. |
| Confidence score: |
0.8429 |