Association of Janus kinase 1 and 2 expression with clinical indices in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is a prevalent complication of uncontrolled hyperglycemia that imposes a considerable burden on the health system due to the need for renal replacement therapy in the long term. Therefore, early diagnosis and prevention of renal damage in diabetic patients is critical. In the present study, we investigated the expression level of Janus kinase (Jak) 1, 2, and 3 genes, which play a role in the signal transduction of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Sixty patients with DKD, 60 diabetic patients without nephropathy, and 60 healthy individuals were recruited, and the expression level of the Jak1, Jak2, and Jak3 genes was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The results showed that Jak1 and Jak2 gene expression was significantly upregulated in DKD patients compared to healthy controls (P values: 0.02 and 0.002, respectively). A significant negative correlation was observed between the expression of Jak1 and 2 genes and glomerular filtration rate in patients (P values: 0.047 and 0.03, respectively). There was also a positive correlation between the urine albumin-creatinine ratio of the DKD group with Jak1 and 2 gene expression levels (P values: 0.008 and 0.015, respectively). Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed a fair diagnostic value for Jak2 expression in DN (0.71, 95% confidence interval: 0.59-0.834 [P = 0.002]).

Gene expression evaluation showed an increased expression of Jak1 and Jak2 in DKD, suggesting Jak1/2 inhibition for the treatment of patients. In addition, Jak2 expression might have diagnostic or predictive value in diabetes.