circPlekha7 suppresses renal fibrosis via targeting miR-493-3p/KLF4

Aims: The authors aim to investigate the function of circPlekha7 in renal fibrosis. Methods: Human renal tissues from chronic kidney disease patients, kidney cell line and primary cultured renal tubular epithelial cells were used. TGF-β1-treated human kidney 2 cells/tubular epithelial cells and a unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model were employed to study renal fibrosis. Results: circPlekha7 was diminished in renal tissues from chronic kidney disease patients and TGF-β1-treated human kidney 2 cells and tubular epithelial cells, while miR-493-3p was upregulated. Overexpression of circPlekha7 or knockdown of miR-493-3p suppressed TGF-β1 induced enhancements on epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibrogenesis, as well as attenuated renal fibrosis and injury in mice subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction. circPlekha7 bound with miR-493-3p, which directly targeted KLF4. Conclusion: circPlekha7 inhibits epithelial to mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells and fibrosis via targeting miR-493-3p to de-repress KLF4/mitofusin2 expression.