miR-21 inhibited autophagy during H/R in vitro.
Rab11a was the direct target of miR-21.
Rab11a mediated the effect of miR-21 during H/R injury.
miR-21 inhibitors attenuated renal I/R injury in the rat model.
miR-21 inhibitors enhanced autophagy in the renal I/R rat model.