MicroRNA-22 Promotes Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis by Targeting PTEN and Suppressing Autophagy in Diabetic Nephropathy

Figure 5

MiR-22 inhibited autophagy and mediated HG-induced Col IV and α-SMA expression. (a) After cotransfected with pDsRed-LC3 plasmid and miR-22 mimics or NC mimics for 24 h, NRK-52E cells were treated with NG or HG for another 48 h. NRK-52E cells were subsequently imaged using confocal microscopy. Scale bars represent 50 μm. Rap: rapamycin. For (b) and (c), after transfected with miR-22 mimics or NC mimics or miR-22 inhibitor or NC inhibitor for 24 h, NRK-52E cells were treated with NG or HG for another 48 h. The expression of LC3-I, LC3-II, p62, Col IV, and α-SMA was detected by Western blot. ImageJ densitometric analysis of the protein levels; data represent mean ± SEM, , , , , ns: not significant.

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