Title:Implications of Klotho Protein for Managing Kidney Disease - an Emerging Role in Therapeutics and Molecular Medicine
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
Author(s): Suman K. Ray, Neha Masarkar and Sukhes Mukherjee*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Saket Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-462020,India
Keywords:
AKI, Biomarkers, CKD, eGFR, FGF-23, Klotho.
Abstract: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are a growing
public health problem. There is a paucity of sensitive biomarkers to detect AKI, early
CKD, and ameliorate extra-renal complications. Klotho protein, detected mainly in the
kidneys, regulates renal health and functions as a co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor
23 (FGF-23) signaling. It is now coming to be known for its extreme pleiotropic actions.
These include cytoprotection via anti-oxidation, anti-senescence, anti-apoptosis,
renoprotective effects, promotion of angiogenesis and vascularisation, inhibition of
fibrogenesis, and stem cell preservation. Emerging clinical studies suggest kidney
damage to be a perpetual state of renal Klotho deficiency. In AKI, Klotho levels in
plasma and/or urine possibly will serve as an initial biomarker for kidney parenchymal
injury. In CKD, Klotho levels may also be an indicator of early disease as well as predict
the rate of progression. Earlier studies using ELISA as a technique reveal a correlation
between plasma Klotho, eGFR, serum creatine, and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels.
Thereby preventing the decline of Klotho levels by various mechanisms can retard CKD
advancement and improve renal function. Substantial data indicate Klotho can be
therapeutically included as an individualized regimen for managing CKD patients.
Considerable research is required in investigating the role of soluble Klotho as a
biomarker in patients with different types and severity of kidney diseases, which will be
highlighted in our review.
