Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 9, 2025
05:05
A Modified Precipitation Method to Isolate Urinary Exosomes
Published on: January 16, 2015
17.7K
Urinary microvesicles: a window into the kidney
Luisa Schnobrich1, Hayo Castrop1
1Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Clinical Kidney Journal
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) show promise as noninvasive biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Analyzing uEVs can reveal early kidney function changes, aiding in CKD diagnosis and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Extracellular Vesicle Biology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health issue, particularly in older adults.
- Current diagnostic methods for CKD often miss early functional declines.
- There is a critical need for novel, noninvasive biomarkers for early CKD detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) as noninvasive biomarkers for CKD.
- To review changes in uEV characteristics associated with kidney disease.
- To highlight the utility of uEVs for diagnosing and prognosing various kidney diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) in kidney disease.
- Analysis of changes in uEV size and concentration in CKD patients.
- Investigation of the molecular cargo (mRNAs, miRNAs, proteins) within uEVs.
Main Results:
- Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are released by diverse kidney cell types.
- uEVs contain molecular cargo reflecting their cells of origin, offering insights into kidney status.
- Changes in uEV size and concentration are observed in kidney diseases.
Conclusions:
- Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) represent a promising source for noninvasive CKD biomarkers.
- Analysis of uEVs can aid in early diagnosis and prognosis of kidney diseases.
- Further research into uEVs could significantly advance CKD management.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
101
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...
101
01:11Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters
85
The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...
85
01:20Renal Corpuscle
3.3K
The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
3.3K
01:45Kidney Structure
70.5K
The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
70.5K
01:28Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
38
Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) StudiesKidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) studies are standard diagnostic imaging procedures used to assess the anatomy of the urinary system. They are commonly utilized for patients experiencing abdominal pain or urinary symptoms. By using a simple X-ray of the abdomen, KUB studies can reveal structural and pathological abnormalities within the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These studies are particularly valuable in diagnosing kidney stones, urinary...
38
01:22Ureters
725
The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...
725