miR-196b-5p-enriched extracellular vesicles from tubular epithelial cells mediated aldosterone-induced renal fibrosis in mice with diabetes.

Introduction: Aldosterone is a mediator of progressive renal disease, but the mechanisms for aldosterone-mediated renal impairment in mice with diabetes are not fully defined.

Methods: Aldosterone and/or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone were used to treat the db/db mice with diabetes. Proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) and fibroblasts were cultured.