Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
08:38
Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
17.6K
Urinary MicroRNA Expression and Tacrolimus Pharmacokinetic Variability in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A
Nikola Stefanović1, Katarina Danković2, Radmila Veličković-Radovanović3,4
1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia. nikola.stefanovic@medfak.ni.ac.rs.
Clinical Drug Investigation
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Urinary microRNA (miRNA) levels, specifically miR-142-3p and miR-204-5p, differ between kidney transplant recipients and healthy individuals. miR-204-5p may indicate long-term graft function and early tacrolimus (Tac) variability.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology and Immunology
- Molecular Biology and Genetics
- Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
Background:
- Tacrolimus (Tac) pharmacokinetic variability and microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation are linked to poor outcomes post-kidney transplantation.
- The relationship between Tac pharmacokinetic variability and miRNA expression in kidney transplant recipients remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between long-term urinary miRNA expression (miR-21-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-155-5p, miR-204-5p) and early tacrolimus (Tac) pharmacokinetic variability.
- To explore the association between urinary miRNA expression and long-term kidney graft function.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 50 kidney transplant recipients and 12 healthy controls.
- Urinary miRNA expression levels were analyzed in the long-term post-transplantation period.
- Patients were stratified based on tacrolimus intraindividual pharmacokinetic variability (IPV) and metabolic phenotype using C0/D at 3 months post-transplant.
Main Results:
- Urinary miR-142-3p and miR-204-5p expression differed significantly between kidney transplant recipients and controls.
- Fast/intermediate tacrolimus metabolizers showed decreased urinary miR-204-5p compared to slow metabolizers.
- Higher miR-204-5p expression correlated with better estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m²).
Conclusions:
- Urinary miR-142-3p and miR-204-5p levels are significantly altered in long-term kidney transplant recipients compared to healthy individuals.
- Urinary miR-204-5p expression may serve as a potential biomarker for long-term graft function and early tacrolimus variability (C0/D).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
62
Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...
62
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
779
Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living...
779
01:28Renal Drug Excretion: Tubular Secretion
1.1K
Active tubular secretion is a robust, energy-demanding process that utilizes carrier systems to transport drugs into renal tubules. The active renal secretion systems include the organic anion transporter (OAT) for weak acids and the organic cation transporter (OCT) for weak bases. Structurally similar drugs can compete for the same transporter, potentially leading to drug accumulation and toxicity. However, this principle can be exploited therapeutically. One example is probenecid (Probalan),...
1.1K
01:29Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
109
Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
109
01:25Renal Drug Excretion: Tubular Reabsorption
1.1K
Tubular reabsorption, a process occurring post-glomerular filtration of drugs in the renal tubule, is a critical determinant of drug half-life. During the process of renal excretion, as the glomerular filtrate progresses to the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), drugs that are highly permeable, lipophilic, and nonionized undergo passive reabsorption from the tubular fluid into the surrounding peritubular capillaries. This reabsorption process restricts their elimination through the kidneys. This...
1.1K
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
68
Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
68