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Serum uromodulin is a novel renal function marker in the Japanese population

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Abstract

Background

Uromodulin, also known as Tamm–Horsfall protein, is the most abundant protein in urine. It has recently been reported that uromodulin exists in a small amount in blood and that its concentration correlates with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods

First, we generated anti-human uromodulin mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb(s)) and established a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for uromodulin. We then performed an observational clinical study to determine if there was a correlation between serum uromodulin concentration and estimates of kidney function and whether the serum uromodulin value could be a biomarker in clinical nephrology. The clinical study included 308 patients with and without chronic kidney disease and healthy volunteers. Serum concentrations of creatinine, cystatin C, and uromodulin were measured and correlations were sought between the eGFR calculated from the creatinine and cystatin C levels and the serum uromodulin concentration.

Results

There was a good correlation between the serum uromodulin concentration and the eGFR value calculated from the creatinine (r = 0.76) and cystatin C (r = 0.79) levels. The mean serum uromodulin level in the group with an eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 calculated using cystatin C was significantly higher than that in the group with an eGFR of 80–89 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusions

The serum uromodulin measurement could be a useful biomarker for identification of patients with early deterioration of kidney function.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Drs Mio Kodama, Yohei Tsuchiya, and Maiko Hori for their assistance with recruitment of patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Yachiyo Medical Center, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 477-96 Owadashinden, Yachiyo city, Chiba, 276-8524, Japan

    Ryosuke Usui, Chihiro Iwasaki & Minako Koike

  2. Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Medical Center East, Tokyo, Japan

    Tetsuya Ogawa

  3. Minami-Akatsuka Clinic, Ibaraki, Japan

    Hideo Takahashi

  4. Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan

    Taku Morito & Michiyasu Hatano

  5. Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan

    Kosaku Nitta

Authors
  1. Ryosuke Usui
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  2. Tetsuya Ogawa
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  3. Hideo Takahashi
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  4. Chihiro Iwasaki
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  5. Minako Koike
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  6. Taku Morito
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  7. Michiyasu Hatano
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  8. Kosaku Nitta
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryosuke Usui.

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The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Human and animal rights

This study was approved by the ethics committees of each participating medical institution, such as Tokyo Women’s Medical University (approval number: 4602), Minami-Akatsuka Clinic (approval number: 18–03-30) and Yokohama Rosai Hospital (approval number: 30–11), and conducted in adherence with the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided written informed consent prior to study enrollment. All animal experiments and procedures were carried out strictly in accordance with the guideline formulated by the Science Council of Japan.

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Usui, R., Ogawa, T., Takahashi, H. et al. Serum uromodulin is a novel renal function marker in the Japanese population. Clin Exp Nephrol 25, 28–36 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-020-01964-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-020-01964-y

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