Circular RNA ciRS-7 affects the propagation of Cryptosporidium parvum in HCT-8 cells by sponging miR-1270 to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway

Background Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic pathogen responsible for severe enteric diseases in humans and animals. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying host and Cryptosporidium interactions are still not clear. Methods To study the roles of circRNAs in host cells during Cryptosporidium infection, the expression profiles of circRNAs in HCT-8 cells infected with C. parvum were investigated using a microarray assay, and the regulatory role of a significantly upregulated circRNA, ciRS-7, was investigated during C. parvum infection. Results C. parvum infection caused notable alterations in the expression profiles of circRNAs in HCT-8 cells, and a total of 178 (including 128 up- and 50 downregulated) circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed following C. parvum infection. Among them, ciRS-7 was significantly upregulated and regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway by sponging miR-1270 during C. parvum infection. Furthermore, the ciRS-7/miR-1270/ relA axis markedly affected the propagation of C. parvum in HCT-8 cells. Conclusions Our results revealed that ciRS-7 would promote C. parvum propagation by regulating the miR-1270/ relA axis and affecting the NF-κB pathway. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of circRNA during Cryptosporidium infection, and the findings provide a novel view for implementing control strategies against Cryptosporidium infection. Graphical Abstract