Soluble transferrin receptor in urine, a new biomarker for IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.

Objectives: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) might represent different ends of a continuous spectrum of glomerular disease. In both conditions, upregulated soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) might be excreted in urine, which could be a potential biomarker to monitor disease activity and therapeutic response.

Methods: In this pilot study, 132 Caucasian patients consulting the Nephrology Department at the Ghent University Hospital because of a glomerulopathy and 50 normal controls were included.