Expression of intronic miRNAs and their host gene Igf2 in a murine unilateral ureteral obstruction model

The objective of this study was to determine the expression of miR-483 and miR-483*and the relationship among them, their host gene (Igf2), and othercytokines in a murine model of renal fibrosis. The extent of renal fibrosis wasvisualized using Masson staining, and fibrosis was scored 3 days and 1 and 2 weeksafter unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Expression of miR-483, miR-483* andvarious cytokine mRNAs was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Expression of miR-483 and miR-483* was significantly upregulated in the UUO model,particularly miR-483 expression was the greatest 2 weeks after surgery. Additionally,miR-483 and miR-483* expression negatively correlated with Bmp7expression and positively correlated with Igf2,Tgfβ, Hgf, and Ctgf expression,as determined by Pearson''s correlation analysis. Hgf expressionsignificantly increased at 1 and 2 weeks after the surgery compared to the controlgroup. This study showed that miR-483 and miR-483* expression was upregulated in amurine UUO model. These data suggest that miR-483 and miR-483* play a role in renalfibrosis and that miR-483* may interact with miR-483 in renal fibrosis. Thus, thesemiRNAs may play a role in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis and coexpression oftheir host gene Igf2.