circRNA basic information
circBase ID: -
Name: hsa_circ_MFN2
Synonym: circMFN2
Host Gene: MFN2
Genomic location(hg19): -
Genomic location(hg38): -
Subcellular localization: cytoplasm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disease basic information
MONDO ID:
 0005149
MONDO name: pulmonary hypertension
Disease details: pulmonary hypertension
Disease DO ID:
 6432
Disease MeSH ID:
 D006976
Disease NCIt ID:
 -
Disease ICD11 ID:
 1496633964
Disease OMIM ID:
 -
Species: Human
Species details: Homo sapiens
Tissue specimen:

peripheral blood; pulmonary arteries; lung tissues; pulmonary arterioles
Cell lines:

hPASMCs
In vivo animal model:

other disease animal model
circRNA-disease information
Expression pattern:
DN
Associated gene: IGF2BP3, PDK4 mRNA
Associated microRNA: -
Biological function: circMFN2 suppresses hypoxia-induced hPASMC proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic reprogramming, ROS accumulation, and pulmonary vascular remodeling; restoration of circMFN2 improves pulmonary hemodynamics in PH mice.
Molecular mechanism: circMFN2 functions as an RBP decoy that binds IGF2BP3, limits IGF2BP3-mediated stabilization of PDK4 mRNA, destabilizes PDK4 mRNA, suppresses PDK4 protein accumulation, and thereby preserves mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation under hypoxia.
Biological pathway or process:

proliferation (inhibits); cell cycle (inhibits); migration (inhibits); mitochondrial function (promotes); oxidative phosphorylation (promotes); glycolysis (inhibits); mRNA stability (inhibits); other pathway/process (inhibits)
Detected method:
Q
H
Validation methods:

Back-Splice Junction PCR / divergent primers PCR; RT-qPCR; RNA-seq; FISH / smFISH; IF (Immunofluorescence); Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Fractionation; Clinical Sample Validation; RIP (RNA Immunoprecipitation); RNA Pull-Down; Actinomycin D / DRB Stability Assay; Transfection; Cell Cycle Assay; Wound Healing Assay; In Vivo Animal Model; H&E Staining; Western Blot; Bioinformatics Analysis
Clinical significance:

circMFN2 is downregulated in peripheral blood of PH patients and is proposed as a potential noninvasive circRNA-based therapeutic candidate for pulmonary hypertension.
Description:

circMFN2 is a PH-related circRNA generated from the MFN2 locus and is downregulated in PH patient peripheral blood, PH mouse pulmonary arteries/lung tissues, and hypoxic hPASMCs. It acts as a protective regulator by binding IGF2BP3, reducing IGF2BP3-mediated PDK4 mRNA stabilization, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis and oxidative phosphorylation, and suppressing hPASMC proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and vascular remodeling. Intranasal R8-liposome-mediated circMFN2 delivery improved pulmonary hemodynamics and vascular remodeling in Su/Hyp PH mice, supporting therapeutic potential.
Confidence score:

0.824
Other information
Title:

circMFN2 Regulates the IGF2BP3-PDK4 to Ameliorate Pulmonary Hypertension.

Journal: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
Published: 2026
PubMed ID: 41641542
Study type:

combined biological and clinical study
Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request; Supplemental Material
Code availability: -