Metformin Reduces the Senescence of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Diabetic Nephropathy via the MBNL1/miR-130a-3p/STAT3 Pathway

Figure 5

Metformin reduced cell senescence in HK-2 cells through miR-130a-3p/STAT3 signaling. (a) qRT-PCR was used to detect expression levels of STAT3 in HK-2 cells that were cultured in NG and HG for 72 h. (b) STAT3 protein expression levels in HK-2 cells that were cultured in NG and HG for 72 h. The data are expressed as the (). , vs. the NG group; , vs. the NG group. (c) The mRNA expression of STAT3 was detected in HK-2 cells. (d) The protein expressions of STAT3 and P21 were detected to determine the effect of STAT3 on senescence in HK-2 cells. The data are expressed as the (). , vs. the STAT3(+)-NC group; , vs. the STAT3(+)-NC group; , vs. the STAT3(-)-NC group. (e) The expressions of STAT3 and P21 were detected in HK-2 cells after treatment with metformin. The data are expressed as the (). , vs. the control group; , vs. the Met group; , vs. Met the group. (f) Predicted miR-130a-3p binding site in STAT3 (STAT3-Wt) and mutant sequence (STAT3-Mut). The relative luciferase activity was conducted after cells were cotransfected with STAT3-WT (or STAT3-Mut) and miR-130a-3p-NC (or miR-130a-3p). The data are expressed as the (). , vs. the STAT3-Wt+miR-130a-3p-NC group. (g) The expression of P21 was detected to determine the effect of miR-130a-3p, STAT3, and metformin on senescence in HK-2 cells. The data are expressed as the (). , vs. the miR-130a-3p(+)-NC+STAT3(+)-NC group; , vs. the miR-130a-3p(+)-NC+STAT3(+)-NC group; , vs. the miR-130a-3p(+)+STAT3(+)-NC group; , vs. the miR-130a-3p(+)+STAT3(+) group.

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