LncRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA mediates hyperglycemic-induced injury in the renal tubular epithelial cell via the miR-126-5pAkt axis

Objective: To investigate the involvement of HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in the injury of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose.

Results: In high glucose-induced HK-2 cells, the expression of HOTAIR was upregulated, resulting in suppressed cell proliferation. Meanwhile, HOTAIR upregulates the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3, while downregulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that HOTAIR could target miR-126-5p. Additionally, it was found that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway serves as a downstream target of miR-126-5p. Knockdown of HOTAIR relieved apoptosis, whereas further inhibition of miR-126-5p led to apoptosis in HK-2 cells.

Conclusions: HOTAIR plays a regulatory role in mediating high glucose-induced injuries in HK-2 cells, specifically affecting apoptosis and cell viability, via the miR-126-5p/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.