The NEAT1/miR-124-3p/CCL2 axis in chronic kidney disease progression: integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

{"sci_version": "1.2", "schema": "https://corpus.bntrg.co.uk/sci/1.0/sci.schema.json", "id": "pmid:40838416", "kind": "science-record", "revision": 4, "content_hash": "sha256:445ceb675c80801665c28fb271f4f9fe3582b1583eefa9f57e72c8ede013eb58", "created_at": "2026-11-01T20:30:56Z", "updated_at": "2026-11-01T22:57:03Z", "generator": {"name": "corpus-assay-engine", "run_id": "reading-sci-2026-11-01"}, "paper": {"state": "complete", "title": "The NEAT1/miR-124-3p/CCL2 axis in chronic kidney disease progression: integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.", "doi": "10.1080/17501911.2025.2548762", "pmid": "40838416", "authors": ["Guanting Chen", "Linqi Zhang", "Yaoxian Wang", "Jianfeng Wang", "Kang Yang", "Xixi Wang", "Xu Chen"], "journal": "Epigenomics", "year": 2025, "abstract": "BACKGROUND: Chronickidney disease (CKD) is a major global health burden lacking effectivetherapies. Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a key pathological driver ofCKD progression. This study aimed to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutictargets.\nRESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Weanalyzed the GEO dataset GSE137570 to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to screen HubGenes. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was predicted. Validationincluded single-cell sequencing, in vitro epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) models using Transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1)-treated TCMK1 cells,clinical samples (64 CKD patients, 20 healthy controls), and dual-luciferasereporter assays (DLRA).\nRESULTS: FiveHub Genes (EGF, VCAN, CXCL1, MMP7, CCL2) were identified, with CCL2 being themost central. Enrichment analyses linked them to immune/inflammatory responses.DLRA confirmed specific targeting between miR-124-3p and both NEAT1 and CCL2,supporting the NEAT1/miR-124-3p/CCL2 axis. Clinically, serum CCL2 increasedwhile miR-124-3p and NEAT1 decreased with CKD progression; all three showedgood diagnostic accuracy for staging.\nCONCLUSIONS: EGF,VCAN, CXCL1, MMP7, and particularly CCL2 are potential CKDbiomarkers/therapeutic targets. The NEAT1/miR-124-3p/CCL2 axis is a keyregulatory pathway in CKD. 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