RNA-seq transcriptomic profiling reveals renoprotective mechanism of novel Psidium meroterpenoid derivatives (d)-G8 and (d)-G4 against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in human HK2 tubular epithelial cells

Total RNA was extracted from all samples for paired-end RNA-seq on Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, followed by principal component analysis (PCA), Venn diagram analysis, heatmap clustering, GO and KEGG functional enrichment, as well as gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Transcriptomic results demonstrated that both (d)-G8 and (d)-G4 exerted significant renoprotective effects by upregulating copper efflux transporters ATP7A/ATP7B, activating AMPK-mediated autophagy pathway, improving mitochondrial homeostasis, and suppressing multiple inflammatory signaling cascades, with (d)-G8 showing more potent efficacy than (d)-G4.

This RNA-seq dataset provides comprehensive transcriptional evidence for the anti-AKI activity of the two meroterpenoid derivatives, and identifies key gene targets and signaling pathways for the development of novel nephroprotective agents.