Acute kidney injury (AKI) is commonly a result of renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), which produces clinical complications characterized by the rapid deterioration of renal function, leading to chronic kidney disease and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Currently, only supportive treatment is available. AKI, which is accompanied by immune activation and inflammation, is caused by proximal tubular injury. The present study investigated the role of tubular epithelial cells as drivers of inflammation in renal IRI and their potential function as antigen‑presenting cells, as well as the molecular mechanisms by which peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor‑γ (PPARγ) agonists [such as pioglitazone (Pio)] exert reno‑protective action in renal IRI. A total of 50 Wistar male albino rats were divided into five groups: Sham + DMSO, Sham + Pio, IRI + DMSO, IRI + prophylactic preoperative (pre) Pio and IRI + postoperative Pio. The histopathological changes in renal tissue samples and the renal epithelial cell expression of CD86, miRNA‑124, STAT3, pro‑inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Arginase‑II were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, western blotting and ELISA respectively. IRI was a potent inducer for CD86 immunoexpression. An ameliorative action of Pio was demonstrated via decreased CD86 immunoexpression, upregulation of miRNA‑124, decreased STAT3 expression and beneficial anti‑inflammatory effects.