Fig. 5

Characterization of miRNA profiles in exosomes and the role of miR-124-3p in ferroptosis. A Heatmap showing that 10 miRNAs were upregulated in the HM-exos group compared with the M-exos group (Fold change > 1.5; p-value < 0.05). B KEGG analysis of target genes of differential miRNAs, and 15 signaling pathways with significant enrichment are shown (p-value < 0.05). C Data in published databases were used to predict the microRNAs targeting Steap3, and those that further intersected with the miRNAs that were upregulated in the HM-exos. D Relative levels of miR-124-3p in M-exos and HM-exos. E Schematic sequence diagram of miR-124-3p targeting the wild-type or mutated 3' UTR of Steap3, the underlined sequence represents the 3'-UTR mutant seed sequence of Steap3, the binding site in Steap3 is highly conserved in multiple species (bottom left). F Dual luciferase reporter gene assay verification of the targeted binding of miR-124-3p to the 3'-UTR of Steap3 mRNA in HEK-293T cells. G Relative expression levels of STEAP3 mRNA and protein (H) in IAR20 cells overexpressing miR-124-3p. I Effect of Erastin on the viability of IAR20 Cells overexpressing miR-124-3p. J IAR20 cells were transfected with NC-mimic and miR-124-3p-mimic, respectively. The levels of Lipid-ROS and Fe²⁺ (K) were detected after H/R treatment. L Relative expression levels of STEAP3 mRNA and protein (M) in IAR20 cells transfected with the miR-124-3p-inhibitor. N Effect of Erastin on the viability of IAR20 cells transfected with the miR-124-3p inhibitor. O IAR20 cells were transfected with the NC-inhibitor and the miR-124-3p-inhibitor, respectively, and the levels of Lipid-ROS and Fe²⁺ (P) were detected after H/R treatment (n = 3). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001