Role of CREB1 dysregulation in calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals-induced tubular epithelial cell injury

Background Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is a major component of kidney stones and can induce the injury of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs). Objectives This study aime d to investigate the role of cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) in COM-induced RTEC injury. Results CREB1 and phosphorylated CREB1 (p-CREB1) were upregulated in COM-induced RTECs. CREB1 upregulation attenuated COM-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and cell injury. CREB1 bound to the MLKL promoter and transcriptionally repressed MLKL expression. MLKL upregulation reversed the inhibitory role of CREB1 overexpression in RTEC injury. Conclusions CREB1 repressed MLKL expression to attenuate COM-induced RTEC injury, suggesting that CREB1 may be a therapeutic target for kidney stone disease.