Protein-Based Urine Test May Predict Kidney Transplant Outcomes

Low urinary levels of the protein CXCL9 could identify kidney transplant recipients with a low risk of developing kidney injury and a high probability of having stable long-term kidney function in a recent American Journal of Transplantation study. Researchers periodically collected urine samples from 280 adult and child kidney transplant recipients for 2 years after transplantation. Urinary CXCL9 levels began to increase up to 30 days before clinical signs of kidney injury, which could help doctors intervene early to potentially prevent rejection-associated kidney damage. The protein levels began to drop after treatment for rejection.