Kidney Res Clin Pract.  2024 Sep;43(5):600-613. 10.23876/j.krcp.23.090.

Long non-coding RNA MEG3 silencing weakens high glucose-induced mesangial cell injury by decreasing LIN28B expression by sponging and sequestering miR-23c

• Rong L
• Xue H
• Hao J
• Liu J
• Xu H

• KMID: 2564667
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.23.090

Abstract

Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common kidney disease in diabetic patients. Long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and microRNA (miR)-23c are reported to be implicated in DN development. Nevertheless, it is unclear that the molecular mechanism between MEG3 and miR-23c in DN remains unclear. Methods: Human mesangial cells (HMCs) were treated with high glucose (HG) to simulate the DN status in vitro. Expression of MEG3 and miR-23c was measured. Effects of MEG3 silencing on HG-stimulated HMC injury were determined. The relationship between MEG3 and miR-23c was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Results: MEG3 was overexpressed in serums from DN patients and HG-stimulated HMCs. MEG3 knockdown weakened HG-stimulated HMC proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, and inflammation. MEG3 regulated lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B) expression through adsorbing miR-23c. MiR-23c inhibitor reversed MEG3 knockdown-mediated effects on HG-stimulated HMC proliferation, ECM accumulation, and inflammation. LIN28B overexpression overturned miR-23c mimic-mediated effects on HG-stimulated HMC proliferation, ECM accumulation, and inflammation. Conclusion: MEG3 regulated HMC injury via regulation of the miR-23c/LIN28B axis in DN, which can help us better understand the mechanism of DN mediated by MEG3.

Keyword

Diabetic nephropathies; LIN28B; Maternally expressed gene 3; miR-23c