Fig. 4

IL36γ is functional downstream mediator for circPHLPP2. a KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs. DEGs were identified using the limma package in R software and the threshold was |log2 (foldchange) | > 1, p value < 0.05. b Volcano plot for upregulated and downregulated genes, the genes involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway were indicated. c Heatmap depicting relative expression of multiple cytokines in the HCT116 and SW480 cells infected with circPHLPP2 overexpression or vector lentivirus measured by RT-qPCR, data were normalized to vector group. d-e Western blots showing IL36γ protein expression levels upon circPHLPP2 overexpression (d) and knockdown (e) in human CRC cells. f The volume (left) and weight (right) of allografts in C57 mice after subcutaneous inoculation with MC38 cells with circPhlpp2 overexpression or IL36γ knockdown (n = 5). g The volume (left) and weight (right) of allografts in C57 mice after subcutaneous inoculation with MC38 cells with circPhlpp2 knockdown or IL36γ overexpression (n = 5). h Representative plots (left) and summary data (right) of NK cells in the primary tumors with circPhlpp2 knockdown or IL36γ overexpression from C57 mice as determined by flow cytometry (n = 5). i Expression levels of granzyme B of NK cells in tumors with circPhlpp2 knockdown or IL36γ overexpression as determined by flow cytometry (n = 5). Data in f-g left were calculated by two‑way ANOVA test. Data in f-i right were calculated by one‑way ANOVA test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001