Our data suggested a link between circHECTD1/HECTD1 and fibroblast activation with subsequent fibrosis induced by SiO<sub>2</sub>, providing novel insight into the potential of circHECTD1/HECTD1 to be a therapeutic target for silicosis.
<b>Conclusions:</b> Our study elucidated a link between SiO<sub>2</sub>-induced macrophage activation and the circHECTD1/HECTD1 pathway, thereby providing new insight into the potential use of HECTD1 in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating silicosis.