PIM1 attenuates renal ischemia–reperfusion injury by inhibiting ASK1-JNK/P38

•PIM1 is up-regulated in renal IRI and attenuates ischemic injury and hypoxia-induced tubular cell injury.•Inhibition of PIM1 contributes to the activity of MAPK pathway, while PIM1 overexpression reduces the MAPK activity.•PIM1 inhibits the activity of ASK1 by increasing its phosphorylation at Ser83, which in turn blocks the JNK/P38 pathway.•PIM1-ASK1 pathway is actively involved in the regulation of renal IRI, which may be a potential therapeutic target.