Uromodulin – biomarker of renal function with promising clinical application.
Uromodulin – biomarker of renal function with promising clinical application.

Summary/Abstract: Uromodulin (also known as Tamm-Horsfall protein) is a glycoprotein produced exclusively in the kidneys, mainly in the epithelial cells of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Under physiological conditions, it is the most abundant urinary protein. A small proportion is released into the renal interstitium and then into the blood, where it can be detected and used as a potential parameter of renal function. Uromodulin has numerous physiological roles and potential pathogenetic significance, including providing protection against urinary tract infections and the formation of urinary deposits, as well as being involved in the immunomodulatory functions and regulation of water and electrolyte balance by the kidneys. Unlike classic renal markers (such as creatinine), uromodulin levels decrease with progressive renal dysfunction. A significant advantage of this parameter is therefore the detectable changes in concentration at the early stages of development of chronic kidney disease. In addition, assessment in clinical materials, such as urine and blood, is relatively simple by immunoenzymatic methods. It is evident that the quantitative determination of uromodulin in blood serum is associated with a lower risk of laboratory error and has a better correlation with renal function. Based on previous studies, Tamm-Horsfall protein / uromodulin can be considered a valuable parameter for standard diagnostics of kidney function and renal diseases. It appears that no other marker is currently able to reflect the integrity and functional state of the renal tubules as sensitively as uromodulin. Due to the potential of this parameter, the article presents and overview of the current information available about uromodulin, as well as the available diagnostic tests and the frequency of their use in clinical practice.

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