The expression of circRTN4 is significantly enhanced in lupus nephritis. Downregulation of circRTN4 expression alleviates extracellular matrix deposition by targeting the miR-513a-5p/FN axis in cultured human renal mesangial cells and pristane-induced BALB/c mice or MRL/lpr mice. In addition, monocyte circRTN4 participates in mesangial cell dysfunction in an exosome-dependent manner. Exosomal circRTN4 mzytherefore be an effective biomarker for lupus nephritis detection and a novel therapeutic target.
- Xinyan Miao
- Yuexin Tian
- Shuxia Liu