Fig. 3

CircRUNX1 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis by upregulating FOXP3 expression. A Volcano plot showing differentially expressed genes in TE1 cells transfected with si-circRUNX1 and si-NC. B Differential expression of FOXP3 in 41 pairs of ESCC tissues and matched esophageal normal tissues. C and D Relative mRNA levels of FOXP3 were detected in ESCC cells with circRUNX1 knockdown or overexpression using qRT-PCR. E and F Relative protein levels of FOXP3 after inhibition or ectopic expression of circRUNX1 were determined using western blotting. G The correlation between circRUNX1 and FOXP3 was detected in 41 clinical ESCC samples. H-J CCK-8 (H), colony formation (I) and EdU assays (J) were performed to examine the proliferative effects of circRUNX1 and FOXP3 on TE1 cells. K-M Wound healing and transwell assays were adopted to evaluate the migration and invasion capabilities of TE1 cells after overexpression of circRUNX1 or disruption of  FOXP3. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001