AbstractChronic kidney diseases affect a substantial percentage of the adult population worldwide. This observation emphasizes the need for novel insights into the molecular mechanisms that control the onset and progression of renal diseases. Recent advances in genomics have uncovered a previously unanticipated link between the non‐coding genome and human kidney diseases. Here we screened and analysed long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) previously identified in mouse kidneys by genome‐wide transcriptomic analysis, for conservation in humans and differential expression in renal tissue from healthy and diseased individuals. Our data suggest that LINC01187 is strongly down‐regulated in human kidney tissues of patients with diabetic nephropathy and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, as well as in murine models of kidney diseases, including unilateral ureteral obstruction, nephrotoxic serum‐induced glomerulonephritis and ischemia/reperfusion. Interestingly, LINC01187 overexpression in human kidney cells in vitro inhibits cell death indicating an anti‐apoptotic function. Collectively, these data suggest a negative association of LINC01187 expression with renal diseases implying a potential protective role.