Predictive Value of circ_0020850 for Functional Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke in Hospitalized Convalescent Patients.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the primary reason for death. CircRNAs have become a hotspot of stroke research. The study aimed to detect the concentration of circ_0020850 and elucidate its prognostic roles. Differently expressed circRNAs and miRNAs were identified based on the GEO database. Serum samples were collected from AIS and healthy persons to assess the levels of circ_0020850 and miR-629 before and after rehabilitation. Their interrelationships with MMSE scores were evaluated using the Spearman method. The targeted connection was verified by luciferase reporter assay. ROC and logistic regression further revealed the prognostic roles of circ_0020850 and miR-629. GO, KEGG, PPI methods were applied for potential functional and pathway analysis of targets of miR-629. The upregulation of circ_0020850 and downregulation of miR-629 were detected in AIS patients. After rehabilitation, both circ_0020850 and miR-629 expression were maintained normal. Circ_0020850 and miR-629 were correlated with MMSE scores and could predict the prognosis of AIS patients. Further analysis indicated that the targets of miR-629 were enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway, ficolin-1-rich granule, and pathways of neurodegeneration or multiple diseases. Circ_0020850 and miR-629 were related to patients' recovery, they are promising prognostic markers of AIS patients.