LncRNA PVT1 accelerates LPS-induced septic acute kidney injury through targeting miR-17-5p and regulating NF-κB pathway

Background Long noncoding RNA PVT1 is associated with diverse human diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI). However, our understandings of PVT1 on septic AKI are limited. Methods The septic AKI model was constructed through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. PVT1 and miR-17-5p levels were measured using qRT-PCR analysis. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were determined with ELISA kits. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8 assay and flow-cytometric analysis, respectively. Protein levels were examined using western blot assay. The targeting association between miR-17-5p and PVT1 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter, RIP and RNA pull-down assays. Results PVT1 level was elevated and miR-17-5p level was declined in septic AKI patients’ serum and LPS-stimulated HK-2 cells. Cell viability was suppressed and cell apoptosis and inflammation were promoted after LPS treatment. PVT1 knockdown or miR-17-5p elevation restored LPS-mediated HK-2 cell injury. MiR-17-5p was sponged by PVT1, and its inhibition weakened the impact of PVT1 deficiency on LPS-mediated injury of HK-2 cells. In addition, PVT1 knockdown inactivated NF-κB pathway mediated by LPS treatment, but miR-17-5p inhibition further reversed this effect. Conclusion PVT1 knockdown promoted cell viability, suppressed inflammatory response and apoptosis by regulating miR-17-5p expression and NF-κB pathway in LPS-stimulated HK-2 cells.