Hsa_circ_0003928 regulates the progression of diabetic nephropathy through miR-136-5p/PAQR3 axis.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the complications of diabetes and has a high mortality, but its specific pathogenesis is not clear. In recent years, researches on the mechanism of circRNAs in DN have been proved a lot, whereas the functional mechanism of circ_0003928 in DN remains open and it must be investigated to value its important role in DN prevention. HK-2 cells were treated with high glucose (HG), normal glucose (NG) or Mannitol. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were performed to detect cell proliferation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to analyze malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD) levels. Flow cytometry and western blot were preformed to measure cell apoptosis. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to test the levels of circ_0003928, miR-136-5p and progestin and adipoQ receptor family member 3 (PAQR3) mRNA. Western blot was executed to detect Bcl2 associated X (Bax), B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), smooth muscle (αSMA), apolipoprotein (C-IV) and PAQR3 levels. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were used to analyze the target relationship between miR-136-5p and circ_0003928 or PAQR3. Circ_0003928 and PAQR3 expression were up-regulated, whereas miR-136-5p was decreased in DN serum and HG-induced HK-2 cells. Circ_0003928 knockdown promoted cell proliferation, and inhibit cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in HK-2 cells under HG condition. MiR-136-5p silencing overturned the protective effects of si-circ_0003928 on HG-induced HK-2 cells. MiR-136-5p was targeted by circ_0003928 and directly targeted PAQR3. Overexpression of PAQR3 counteracted the inhibitory functions of circ_0003928 knockdown or miR-136-5p overexpression on HG-induced HK-2 cell injury. Circ_0003928 acted as a sponge of miR-136-5p to up-regulating PAQR3 expression, and then regulate the proliferation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and apoptosis in HG-induced HK-2 cells.

Zhang W ，Zhang L ，Dong Q ，Wang X ，Li Z ，Wang Q ... -  《-》

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.

Zhou J ，Peng X ，Ru Y ，Xu J ... -  《-》

CircTAOK1 regulates high glucose induced inflammation, oxidative stress, ECM accumulation, and apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy via targeting miR-142-3p/SOX6 axis.

Liu SY ，Wang H ，Yang B ，Hou B ，Sun LS ，Pang H ，Wang HH ，Fan YP ... -  《-》

Circ_0068087 knockdown attenuates high-glucose-induced human tubular epithelial cell injury in a microribonucleic acid/progestin and adipoQ receptor 3-dependent manner in diabetic nephropathy.

Previous studies have shown that circular ribonucleic acid mediates the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to analyze the effects of circ_0068087 on high-glucose (HG)-induced human kidney 2 (HK2) cell dysfunction. Circ_0068087, miR-580-3p, and progestin and adipoQ receptor 3 (PAQR3) expression were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 and EdU assays, respectively. The cell apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry. Inflammatory response was assessed by enzyme-linked immunoassays. Oxidative stress was evaluated by a superoxide dismutase activity assay kit and lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde assay kit. Molecular interaction was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Circ_0068087 and PAQR3 expression were significantly upregulated in diabetic nephropathy patients. HG treatment inhibited HK2 cell proliferation, but induced cell apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by regulating circ_0068087. Circ_0068087 acted as a microribonucleic acid-580-3p (miR-580-3p) sponge, and miR-580-3p targeted PAQR3. Furthermore, circ_0068087 depletion repressed PAQR3 expression through miR-580-3p. MiR-580-3p inhibitors or PAQR3 introduction attenuated circ_0068087 silencing mediated-effects in HG-treated HK2 cells. Circ_0068087 promoted HG-induced HK2 cell injuries by the regulation of the miR-580-3p/PAQR3 pathway.

Liu SY ，Wang H ，Yang B ，Hou B ，Sun LS ，Pang H ，Wang HH ，Fan YP ... -  《-》

Circular RNA_0037128 aggravates high glucose-induced damage in HK-2 cells via regulation of microRNA-497-5p/nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 axis.

Feng T ，Li W ，Li T ，Jiao W ，Chen S ... -  《-》