ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the expression level of microRNA-25 in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) cultured in different conditions, and to explore its regulating effect on the fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Methods The expression of microRNA-25 was detected by real-time PCR. The downstream target protein of microRNA-25 was verified by bioinformatic prediction, transient transfection of cells and Western blotting. Results MicroRNA-25 was down-regulated in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and HK-2 cells which were cultured in high-glucose medium (P<0. 01). MAP2K4 might be the downstream target protein of microRNA-25. Overexpression of microRNA-25 reduced the protein expression of MAP2K4 and α-SMA (P<0. 01). Conclusion MicroRNA-25 inhibits the fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of MAP2K4.