Long non-coding RNA MEG3 promotes cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through regulating AKT/TSC/mTOR-mediated autophagy

Cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP)-induced nephrotoxicity (DDPIN) may cause irreversible renal injury associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current standard therapies have not achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes due to unclear molecular and cellular mechanisms. Therefore, exploring potential therapies on DDPIN represents an urgent medical need. Present study characterized the role of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (lnc-MEG3) in the pathogenesis of DDPIN. In both in vitro and in murine models of DDP-induced nephrotoxicity, lnc-MEG3 exacerbated DDPIN by negatively regulating miRNA-126 subsequently causing a decreased AKT/TSC/mTOR-mediated autophagy. By silencing lnc-MEG3 or incorporating miRNA-126 mimetics, the proliferation and migration of DDP-treated cells were restored. In vivo, we identified Paeonol to alleviate DDPIN by the inhibition of lnc-MEG3. Taken together, lnc-MEG3 represents a novel therapeutic target for DDPIN and Paeonol may serve as a promising treatment by inhibiting lnc-MEG3 and its related signaling pathways.