These findings indicated that miR-218-5p/HO-1 signaling played an important role in sepsis-induced AKI and LPS-induced GMC dysfunction, and that honokiol could attenuate sepsis-induced AKI and LPS-induced GMC dysfunction by regulating miR-218-5p/HO-1 signaling. The gene discussed is HMOX1; the disease is acute kidney injury.