miR-21 expression was upregulated by TGF-尾1 in time- and concentration-dependent manner.
miR-21 over-expression enhanced TGF-尾1-induced EMT by directly down-regulating smad7 and indirectly up-regulating smad3.
miR-21 inhibitor can not only inhibit EMT and fibrosis but also ameliorate renal structure and function.
Targeting miR-21 may be a better alternative to directly suppress TGF-尾1-mediated fibrosis in DN.