Urine Proteomics for Detection of Potential Biomarkers for End-Stage Renal Disease

The increasing number of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), mainly due to lifestyle changes-such as increased consumption of processed foods, physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking habits-and population aging, highlights the need to identify new biomarkers to facilitate monitoring of CKD progression and, consequently, predict end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed to analyze the proteomic profile of urine samples from healthy individuals and those with ESRD to identify potential biomarkers for this advanced stage of CKD. Urine samples were collected from 20 participants, comprising 10 healthy individuals and 10 patients with ESRD, and analyzed via liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer. Bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology and protein interaction, were subsequently conducted. A total of 416 proteins were identified in the proteomic profiles of the groups, and 19 proteins showed statistically significant differences between them. Of these, five proteins-hemopexin, beta-2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein 4, transthyretin, and factor D-emerged as potential biomarkers for ESRD. The proteins identified were able to characterize and differentiate the urinary proteomic profiles of the two groups. The five selected proteins represent promising candidates for ESRD biomarkers.