Biomarker Linked to Kidney Function Decline in Otherwise Healthy Adults

High circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR-1), an inflammatory marker, are linked with long-term decline in kidney function, according to the results of a recent study.

While higher concentrations of TNFR-1 are associated with kidney disease progression in individuals with established diabetic kidney disease, no evidence is available on the role of this marker in long-term kidney function in individuals without cardiovascular disease at baseline.

In their study, the researchers examined associations between baseline TNFR-1 concentrations and 10-year decline in eGFR in 2548 patients. They also measured serum creatinine concentrations at baseline and at years 3, 5, and 10.

Overall, they found that serum TNFR-1 was inversely associated with baseline eGFR. Over a median follow-up of 9.3 years, 110 participants developed ≥40% decline in eGFR, and each SD higher concentration of TNFR-1 was associated with higher risk of 40% eGFR decline (hazard ratio [HR] 1.43). The adjusted annualized decline in eGFR among individuals in the highest TNFR-1 tertile was 1.95%. These associations persisted despite demographics and hypertension, diabetes, and CKD status.

“Elevated serum sTNFR-1 concentrations are associated with faster declines in eGFR over the course of a decade in a multiethnic population, independent of previously known risk factors for kidney disease progression.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Bhatraju PK, Zelnick LR, Shlipak M, et al. Association of soluble TNFR-1 concentrations with long-term decline in kidney function: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis [published online October 4 2018]. JASN. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2018070719.