miR-872 Protection Against Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Targeting HMOX1

Background Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is an inevitable process in kidney transplantation and a main cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). The present study aimed to explore the potential miRNA-mRNA network in the development of renal IR injury (RIRI). Methods and results The rat IR model and cell hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model were established. AKI was confirmed in Wistar rats through renal histology evaluation and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. We observed a significant decrease in miR-872 in both in vivo and in vitro models. Through function assays, we confirmed the detrimental effect of miR-872 downregulation and identified HMOX1 as its direct downstream target. Using miR-872 angomir, cell apoptosis was significantly impeded. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that miR-872 mitigated IR injury by downregulating HMOX1, providing new avenues to treat RIRI by manipulating miRNA levels.