miRNA-483-5p Targets HDCA4 to Regulate Renal Tubular Damage in Diabetic Nephropathy

Impacts of MicroRNA-483 on Human Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by targeting specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in distinct cell types. This review provides a com-prehensive overview of the current understanding regarding the involvement of miR-483-5p and miR-483-3p in various physiological and pathological processes. Downregulation of miR-483-5p has been linked to numerous diseases, including type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, diabetic nephropathy, and neurological injury. Accumulating evidence indicates that miR-483-5p plays a crucial protective role in preserving cell function and viability by targeting specific transcripts. Notably, elevated levels of miR-483-5p in the bloodstream strongly correlate with metabolic risk factors and serve as promising diagnostic markers. Consequently, miR-483-5p represents an appealing biomarker for predicting the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and holds potential as a therapeutic target for intervention strategies. Conversely, miR-483-3p exhibits significant upregulation in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and has been shown to induce cellular apoptosis and lipotoxicity across various cell types. However, some discrepancies regarding its precise function have been reported, underscoring the need for further investigation in this area.

Circ_0060077 Knockdown Alleviates High-Glucose-Induced Cell Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Fibrosis in HK-2 Cells via miR-145-5p/VASN Pathway

The involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been reported. However, the functions of circ_0060077 in DN remain unclear. HK-2 cells were treated with high glucose (HG) to establish DN cell model. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was proceeded to determine the levels of circ_0060077, microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) and vasorin (VASN). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and colony formation assay were conducted to assess cell proliferation ability. Flow cytometry analysis was employed for cell apoptosis. The oxidative stress level was evaluated by commercial kits. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to examine the concentrations of inflammatory factors. Western blot assay was utilized for protein levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were manipulated to analyze the relationships among circ_0060077, miR-145-5p and VASN. Circ_0060077 level was increased in DN patients and HG-stimulated HK-2 cells. Circ_0060077 knockdown ameliorated the inhibitory effect of HG on HK-2 cell proliferation and the promotional effects on cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis. MiR-145-5p was identified as the target for circ_0060077 and miR-145-5p inhibition ameliorated the effect of circ_0060077 silencing on HG-induced HK-2 cell injury. Moreover, miR-145-5p directly bound to VASN. Overexpression of miR-145-5p facilitated cell proliferation and repressed apoptosis, oxidative injury, inflammation and fibrosis in HG-induced HK-2 cells by targeting VASN. Circ_0060077 silencing protected HK-2 cells from HG-induced damage by regulating miR-145-5p/VASN axis.

Exosomal MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Hepatic Injury and Kidney Disease in Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia Patients

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase-α (G6Pase-α). Affected individuals develop renal and liver complications, including the development of hepatocellular adenoma/carcinoma and kidney failure. The purpose of this study was to identify potential biomarkers of the evolution of the disease in GSDIa patients. To this end, we analyzed the expression of exosomal microRNAs (Exo-miRs) in the plasma exosomes of 45 patients aged 6 to 63 years. Plasma from age-matched normal individuals were used as controls. We found that the altered expression of several Exo-miRs correlates with the pathologic state of the patients and might help to monitor the progression of the disease and the development of late GSDIa-associated complications.

Silencing of PFKFB3 protects podocytes against high glucose‑induced injury by inducing autophagy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a diabetic complication that threatens the health of patients with diabetes. In addition, podocyte injury can lead to the occurrence of DN. The protein 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) may be associated with diabetes; however, the effects of PFKFB3 knockdown by small interfering (si)RNA on the growth of podocytes remains unknown. To investigate the mechanism by which PFKFB3 mediates podocyte injury, MPC5 mouse podocyte cells were treated with high-glucose (HG), and cell viability and apoptosis were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, the expression of autophagy-related proteins were measured using western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Cell migration was investigated using a Transwell assay and phalloidin staining was performed to observe the cytoskeleton. The results revealed that silencing of PFKFB3 significantly promoted MPC5 cell viability and inhibited apoptosis. In addition, the migration of the MPC5 cells was notably downregulated by siPFKFB3. Moreover, PFKFB3 silencing notably reversed the HG-induced decrease in oxygen consumption rate, and the HG-induced increase in extracellular acidification rate was rescued by PFKFB3 siRNA. Furthermore, silencing of PFKFB3 induced autophagy in HG-treated podocytes through inactivating phosphorylated (p-)mTOR, p-AMPKα, LC3 and sirtuin 1, and activating p62. In conclusion, silencing of PFKFB3 may protect podocytes from HG-induced injury by inducing autophagy. Therefore, PFKFB3 may serve as a potential target for treatment of DN.