Inhibiting microRNA-192 ameliorates renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy

S Putta, L Lanting, G Sun, G Lawson… - Journal of the …, 2012 - journals.lww.com
S Putta, L Lanting, G Sun, G Lawson, M Kato, R Natarajan
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2012journals.lww.com
Abstract TGF-β1 upregulates microRNA-192 (miR-192) in cultured glomerular mesangial
cells and in glomeruli from diabetic mice. miR-192 not only increases collagen expression
by targeting the E-box repressors Zeb1/2 but also modulates other renal miRNAs,
suggesting that it may be a therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy. We evaluated the
efficacy of a locked nucleic acid (LNA)–modified inhibitor of miR-192, designated LNA–anti-
miR-192, in mouse models of diabetic nephropathy. LNA–anti-miR-192 significantly reduced …
Abstract
TGF-β1 upregulates microRNA-192 (miR-192) in cultured glomerular mesangial cells and in glomeruli from diabetic mice. miR-192 not only increases collagen expression by targeting the E-box repressors Zeb1/2 but also modulates other renal miRNAs, suggesting that it may be a therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy. We evaluated the efficacy of a locked nucleic acid (LNA)–modified inhibitor of miR-192, designated LNA–anti-miR-192, in mouse models of diabetic nephropathy. LNA–anti-miR-192 significantly reduced levels of miR-192, but not miR-194, in kidneys of both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In the kidneys of diabetic mice, inhibition of miR-192 significantly increased Zeb1/2 and decreased gene expression of collagen, TGF-β, and fibronectin; immunostaining confirmed the downregulation of these mediators of renal fibrosis. Furthermore, LNA–anti-miR-192 attenuated proteinuria in these diabetic mice. In summary, the specific reduction of renal miR-192 decreases renal fibrosis and improves proteinuria, lending support for the possibility of an anti-miRNA–based translational approach to the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins