In this study, the inhibitory effect of long-chain non-coding RNA urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1) on renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis by targeting microRNA (miRNA)-206 in diabetic nephropathy (DN) was investigated through DN rat model. The results showed that UCA1 expression was significantly reduced in diabetic renal tubular epithelial tissues and HG-induced HK-2 cells. UCA1 significantly inhibited HG-induced apoptosis and inflammation of renal tubular epithelial cells in HK-2 cells. In addition, UCA1 can directly act as an anti-pro-cytokine by inhibiting the expression of miR-206, and finally inhibit the apoptosis and inflammation of renal tubular epithelial cells. We conclude that UCA1 inhibits renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis by targeting miRNA-206 in DN and can be used as a potential therapeutic target for DN.
Keywords: Long-chain non-coding RNA UCA1; MiR-206; apoptosis; diabetic nephropathy.