Journal of Medical Biochemistry (Jan 2010)
The importance of KIM-1 determination in tissue and urine of patients with different kidney diseases
Abstract
There is an urgent need for early renal biomarkers for the monitoring of proximal tubular injury because tubulointerstitial disease accompanies many processes leading to chronic and end stage kidney disease. One of these is kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) a new specific histological biomarker for diagnosing early tubular injury from renal biopsies but also in urine. This trans- membrane tubular protein with unknown function is undetectable in normal kidneys, but is the hallmark of virtually all proteinuric, toxic and ischaemic kidney diseases. Recent data revealed its possible pathophysiological role in modulating tubular damage and repair. This review is focused on the structural and biochemical aspects of KIM-1, its expression pattern and its pathophysiological role in renal disease. Also, the prognostic value of KIM-1 in relation to urinary protein excretion will be discussed, as well the potential of KIM-1, as the biomarker of renal damage, as a predictor of renal function decline and its perspectives for monitoring therapy response.
