Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026
06:05
Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection
Published on: October 12, 2017
16.3K
Urinary biomarkers for renal tract malformations
Pedro Magalhães1,2, Joost P Schanstra3,4, Emma Carrick5
1a Mosaiques Diagnostics GmbH , Hannover , Germany.
Expert Review of Proteomics
|October 30, 2016
Summary
Urinary protein biomarkers, particularly those identified by mass spectrometry (MS), show promise for predicting renal tract malformations (RTMs) and their complications in children. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Pediatric Nephrology
Background:
- Renal tract malformations (RTMs) are congenital anomalies causing end-stage renal disease in children.
- Previous studies identified individual urinary proteins linked to RTMs using immunoassays.
- Mass spectrometry (MS) has identified protein panels for predicting RTM progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on urinary protein biomarkers for RTMs.
- To assess the potential of individual and panel-based biomarkers.
- To explore applications in human and animal models.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PubMed using keywords: "urinary biomarkers", "proteomics", "renal tract malformations", "hydronephrosis", "ureteropelvic junction obstruction", "posterior urethral valves", "vesicoureteral reflux".
- Analysis of studies focusing on protein-based biomarkers, including immunoassay and MS-based approaches.
- Inclusion of studies on human and animal models.
Main Results:
- Individual urinary proteins (e.g., TGF-β, TNF) are associated with RTMs.
- MS-based methods identified extracellular matrix fragments as predictive markers for RTM progression.
- Protein panels show greater predictive power than individual markers.
Conclusions:
- Protein-based urinary biomarkers, especially panels identified by MS, hold potential for RTM prediction.
- Clinical utility requires larger-scale validation studies.
- Combining immunoassay and MS markers may enhance diagnostic performance.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
2.0K
Urinalysis is a widely used diagnostic test that analyzes urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics. Healthcare providers use it to detect and monitor various health conditions, including renal disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, and metabolic or systemic disorders.Components of UrinalysisUrinalysis consists of three primary components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. Each provides unique insights into the urine sample and, by extension, the...
2.0K
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
564
Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
564
01:28Urinary Tract Calculi I: Introduction
687
Renal calculi, or kidney stones, are solid deposits of minerals and salts formed inside the kidneys. In medical terminology, "calculus" refers to the stone itself, while "lithiasis" describes the process of stone formation. Depending on their location within the urinary system, these stones may be classified as either urolithiasis, when situated within the urinary tract, or nephrolithiasis, when located within the kidneys. Each term signifies the specific impact of the stone.Predisposition...
687
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
668
IntroductionUltrasonography, or renal ultrasound, is a noninvasive medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and surrounding tissues.Indications for Urinary System UltrasonographyUrinary system ultrasonography is indicated in various clinical scenarios, such as:Kidney Stones (Urolithiasis): To detect and monitor the size and presence of kidney or urinary tract stones.Hydronephrosis: To assess the dilation of the renal pelvis and...
668
01:30Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management
308
The diagnosis of renal calculi involves several imaging techniques, including non-contrast CT scans and ultrasound. These methods help visualize kidney stones, assess their size and location, and detect possible obstructions. Additionally, Measuring urine pH is useful for diagnosing specific stone types, such as struvite (alkaline pH) and uric acid stones (acidic pH). Cystine stones are primarily linked to cystinuria, a genetic condition. A urinalysis helps detect blood in the urine (hematuria)...
308
01:26Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
526
Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...
526