LncRNA AP001007 protects human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells and kidney organoids from LPS-induced injury

The regulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SI-AKI). Nevertheless, the specific roles of individual lncRNAs in this process remain unclear. This study investigated the expression of lncRNA AP001007 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HK-2 cells and in the peripheral blood of sepsis patients. The result shows that LPS treatment downregulated the expression of AP001007 in HK-2 cells and that circulating levels of AP001007 were lower in sepsis patients. Furthermore, overexpressing AP001007 in HK-2 cells improved cell viability, mitochondrial activity, and survival when exposed to LPS. Additionally, LPS-treated HK-2 cells secreted fewer pro-inflammatory cytokines when AP001007 was overexpressed. Similar protective effects were observed in human kidney organoids (HKOs) subjected to LPS. These findings suggest that AP001007 confers protection against LPS-induced damage in HK-2 cells and HKOs, highlighting its potential as a regulator of SI-AKI.