THAP1 and atherosclerosis: In this study, we assessed circTEX14 expressions in serum samples from atherosclerosis patients (n = 48) and healthy volunteers (n = 48) using qRT-PCR and examined the roles of circTEX14, miR-6509-3p, and THAP1 in ox-LDL-stimulated VSMCs using cell proliferation assays, cell necrosis, apoptosis, and TUNEL assays, RIP assays, dual-luciferase assays, wound healing assays, and Western blot.