Novel lncRNA XLOC_032768 protects against renal tubular epithelial cells apoptosis in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating FNDC3B/TGF-β1

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury is a leading cause of acute kidney injury, but its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood and effective therapies are still lacking. Here, we identified lncRNA XLOC_032768 as a novel target in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by analyzing differentially expressed genes of the transcriptome data. PCR results show that XLOC_032768 was markedly downregulated in the kidney during renal ischemia-reperfusion in mice and in cultured kidney cells during hypoxia. Upon inductionin vitro, XLOC_032768 overexpression repressed the expression of fibronectin type III domain containing 3B (FNDC3B) and tubular epithelial cells apoptosis. Administration of XLOC_032768 preserved FNDC3B expression and attenuated renal tubular epithelial cells apoptosis, resulting in protection against kidney injury in mice. Knockdown of FNDC3B markedly reduced the expression of TGF-beta 1 and apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Thus, XLOC_032768/FNDC3B/TGF-beta 1signaling pathway in ischemia-reperfusion injury may be targeted for therapy.