MiR-6918-5p prevents renal tubular cell apoptosis by targeting MBD2 in ischemia/reperfusion-induced AKI

Aims: Although previous studies reported that miRNAs are involved in the progression of acute kidney injury (AKI), their exact function and mechanism in ischemic AKI remains largely unknown. This study aims to define the role of miR-6918-5p in ischemia-reperfusion AKI. Materials and methods The renal arteries of C57BL/6J mice were clamped to establish a model of ischemia-reperfusion renal injury. BUMPT cells were added with Antimycin A and calcium ionophore to establish a model of ATP depletion in vitro. Cell Apoptosis was detected by CCK8, flow cytometry and western blot, while HE staining and TUNEL staining were used to assess the degree of kidney damage.

Key findings: We suppressed mmu_miR-6918-5p by ischemic injury in vitro and in vivo. We found that ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced renal tubular cell Apoptosis and the expression of cleaved caspase3 were enhanced by the inhibitor of mmu_miR-6918-5p; this effect was attenuated by an mmu_miR-6918-5p mimic. Mechanistically, mmu_miR-6918-5p binds to the 3' UTR region of MBD2 and represses its expression. The mmu_miR-6918-5p mimic alleviated the ischemic AKI by targeting MBD2. Conversely, the inhibitor of mmu_miR-6918-5p enhanced the ischemic AKI; this was diminished by MBD2-KO.

Significance: Mmu_miR-6918-5p protected against the development of ischemic AKI by targeting MBD2.