Association of Leptin with Cystatin C in Kidney Allograft Dysfunction

A. Bera,¹ M. Watson,² N. Gana,¹ J. Karaian,¹ S. Radhakrishnan,¹ M. Subramanian,¹ D. Little,² R. Nee,² A. Chatterjee,¹ S. Rothwell,¹ H. Pollard,¹ R. Jindal,³ M. Srivastava.¹

¹Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, USU-School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD
²Nephrology, USU-Walter Reed, Bethesda, MD
³Surgery, USU-Walter Reed, Bethesda, MD.

Meeting: 2018 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: A19

Keywords: Kidney transplantation, Rejection, Renal dysfunction

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session A: Biomarkers, Immune Monitoring and Outcomes

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Saturday, June 2, 2018

Session Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

Presentation Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

Location: Hall 4EF

Background: Non-invasive biomarkers are needed for monitoring recipients of kidney allografts to predict acute rejection (AR). We hypothesized that protein biomarkers released from rejecting allograft tissues can be detected early in the systemic circulation. Both leptin and Cystatin C are associated with chronic inflammation, renal and cardiovascular disease. Cystatin C is a known marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), while the role of leptin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and allograft dysfunction is less clear.

Methods: Serum samples were collected prospectively from 4 groups of patients; Group 1 (n=10): recipients of kidney transplant requiring kidney biopsy for renal dysfunction (41.9± 15.3 yrs; M:F = 7:3), Group 2 (n=25): transplant recipients with stable function (53.4± 14.7 yrs; M:F = 14:11), Group 3 (n=25): CKD patients awaiting transplant (41.9± 15.3 yrs; M:F =16:9), and Group 4: (n=25) healthy individuals (41.9± 15.3 yrs; M:F =12:13). Cystatin C and leptin levels were determined by Western immuno-staining technique using corresponding monoclonal antibodies after removing high-abundant serum albumin and immuno-globulin (IgG).

Results: Both Cystatin C and leptin proteins were present in higher concentrations in Groups 1 and 3 versus other 2 groups. Cystatin C was increased 2-fold in Group 1 versus Group 2 patients (p <0.05). There was a 5-fold increase in Cystatin C in Group 3 versus Group 4 (p <0.01). Leptin levels were significantly elevated in all female patients in Group 3, Group 2 and Group 1. Serum samples collected prospectively over a one year follow up in in kidney transplanted patients (Group 1 and 2) showed that increased levels of Cystatin C and leptin signals are associated with lower GFR.

Conclusions: Leptin in addition to Cystatin C may be useful for predicting AR in renal allografts. A higher leptin level may be prognostic for worse kidney function in female patients.

The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, The United States Government or the Uniformed Services University. No financial conflict of interest exists.

CITATION INFORMATION: Bera A., Watson M., Gana N., Karaian J., Radhakrishnan S., Subramanian M., Little D., Nee R., Chatterjee A., Rothwell S., Pollard H., Jindal R., Srivastava M. Association of Leptin with Cystatin C in Kidney Allograft Dysfunction Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Bera A, Watson M, Gana N, Karaian J, Radhakrishnan S, Subramanian M, Little D, Nee R, Chatterjee A, Rothwell S, Pollard H, Jindal R, Srivastava M. Association of Leptin with Cystatin C in Kidney Allograft Dysfunction [abstract]. https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/association-of-leptin-with-cystatin-c-in-kidney-allograft-dysfunction/. Accessed May 8, 2025.

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