Serum lncRNA HAND2-AS1 is downregulated in diabetic patients with chronic renal failure and ameliorates cell apoptosis

BACKGROUND: LncRNA HAND2-AS1 has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in several types of malignancy, while its involvement in other human diseases is unclear. Our preliminary RNA-seq analysis revealed the downregulation of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 in diabetic patients with chronic renal failure, indicating the involvement of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 in this disease. This study was therefore carried out to explore the role of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 in the development of chronic renal failure in diabetic patients. METHODS: Mouse podocyte cells and plasma samples of diabetic patients (46 diabetic patients with chronic renal failure, 38 diabetic patients without obvious complications and 42 healthy volunteers) were used in this study. Cell apoptosis assay and PCR were performed. RESULTS: LncRNA HAND2-AS1 was downregulated in diabetic patients with chronic renal failure but not in diabetic patients without obvious complications. Downregulation of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 distinguished diabetic patients with chronic renal failure from diabetic patients and healthy controls. High glucose environment did not affect the expression of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 in mouse podocyte cells. Overexpression of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 inhibited the apoptosis of mouse podocyte cells under high glucose treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore conclude that lncRNA HAND2-AS1 may participate in the development of chronic renal failure in diabetic patients by regulating cell apoptosis.