Fig. 4

MiR-200c-3p interacted with XIST. a The levels of XIST, RRN3P2 and AC120036.4 in lung tissues from nonsmokers (n = 7), smokers without COPD (n = 22) and smokers with COPD (n = 26). b RIP assay was used to assess the relative enrichment of XIST and miR-200c-3p precipitated by Ago2 normalized to that by IgG in 16HBE cells (n = 3). c The starBase database showed the potential binding site for miR-200c-3p and XIST. d The binding ability between miR-200c-3p and XIST in 16HBE cells was verified by luciferase reporter assay (n = 3). e and f, Pearson’s correlation analysis demonstrated the correlation between XIST and EGR3 (or miR-200c-3p) expression in lung tissues of smokers (n = 48). g The transfection efficacy of sh-XIST and sh-NC as well as the levels of miR-200c-3p and EGR3 in 16HBE cells under XIST knockdown (n = 3). h The effect of XIST on EGR3 protein levels in 16HBE cells (n = 3). i RIP assay was conducted to reveal the relative enrichment of EGR3 precipitated by Ago2 normalized to that by IgG in 16HBE cells with silencing of XIST. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001