LncRNA-UCA1 Alleviates Septic Acute Kidney Injury through Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in LPS-treated HK-2 Cells

Abstract Objective Septic acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important cause of death in patients with sepsis. This study sought to explore the function of the long noncoding RNA, urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (lncRNA-UCA1), in septic AKI and determine the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods HK-2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish an in vitro model of septic AKI. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lncRNA-UCA1. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the viability of HK-2 cells. Western blotting was utilized to examine protein expression. The contents of SOD, GSH, MDA, and ROS were determined using commercial kits. The apoptosis rate was calculated using TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Results LncRNA-UCA1 was down-regulated in LPS-treated HK-2 cells. LPS significantly reduced the content of SOD and GSH in HK-2 cells, increased the production of MDA and ROS, and led to an increase in the rate of apoptosis. However, overexpression of lncRNA-UCA1 protected HK-2 cells from oxidative stress and apoptosis. Furthermore, LPS induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in HK-2 cells, which was inhibited by overexpression of lncRNA-UCA1. Conclusion Overexpression of lncRNA-UCA1 inhibited LPS-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of HK-2 cells by suppressing ER stress.