Fig. 5

CircRNA CDR1as/miR-641/HOXA9 axis regulated stemness of NSCLC cells in vitro. a The spheroid formation assay results indicated that DDP-resistant NSCLC cells tended to form spheres in contrast with their corresponding parental DDP-sensitive NSCLC cells. b–d The mRNA levels of SOX2, OCT4 and Nanog were upregulated in DDP-resistant NSCLC cells compared to DDP-sensitive NSCLC cells, examined by Real-Time qPCR. e Flow cytometer was used to measure the proportion of CD44⁺CD166⁺ cells in NSCLC cells. f–h Upregulation of circRNA CDR1as promoted stemness associated signatures expression in DDP-sensitive NSCLC cells by regulating miR-641/HOXA9 axis. i–k Knock-down of circRNA CDR1as inhibited stemness properties in DDP-resistant NSCLC cells by targeting miR-641/HOXA9 axis. Each experiment repeated at least 3 times. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. “NS” represented no statistical significance