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© 2025. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Rationale: The diagnostic value of endothelial-associated biomarkers in IgAN and their ability to differentiate it from other kidney diseases have not yet been clarified.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of endothelial-associated biomarkers in IgAN patients.

Methods and Results: This is a cross-sectional study involving 96 participants, with IgAN, LN, MN, and healthy subjects recruited in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. Seventy-five percent of the sample was used for developing a classification model, and the remaining 25% was used for constructing a validation cohort. Plasma levels of 12 endothelial-associated biomarkers were detected using multiplex immunoassay technology. Among all the biomarkers evaluated, VLA-4 and VEGFD were prioritized for distinguishing IgAN from other groups (p< 0.001), with 85% classification accuracy. These two biomarkers also showed significant correlation with eGFR (VLA-4: r = - 0.291, P = 0.021; VEGFD: r = - 0.271, P = 0.031) and Gd-IgA1 (VLA-4: r = 0.403, P = 0.003; VEGFD: r = 0.412, P = 0.002). These two biomarkers also showed superior diagnostic efficacy (AUC=0.952 and 0.945) compared to Gd-IgA1 (AUC=0.736). Subgroup analysis of IgAN patients revealed clinically relevant effect sizes for the IgA and IgA/C3 ratios between high- and low-VLA-4 and VEGFD groups, with Hedges’ g values of 0.962 and 0.819, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of VLA-4 and VEGFD levels in IgAN was further validated in an independent cohort comprising 24 participants.

Conclusion: VLA-4 and VEGFD emerge as robust, non-invasive biomarkers for IgAN diagnosis and may play significant roles in the pathogenesis of IgAN.

Plain Language Summary: We investigated the diagnostic value of endothelial-associated biomarkers in Immunoglobulin A nephropathy patients. We identified two endothelial-associated biomarkers, VLA-4 and VEGFD, that could be used as biomarkers to distinguish IgAN patients from individuals with other types of glomerulonephritis and healthy subjects. We consider VLA-4 and VEGFD may play a significant role in mediating vascular endothelial damage and can serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers in patients with IgAN.

Details

Title
Novel Biomarkers as Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tools in IgA Nephropathy: A Comparative Study with Lupus Nephritis and Membranous Nephropathy
Author
Liu, X; Luo, Y; Huang, Y; Li M; Guo, M; Dong, Z  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Wu J; Cai, G  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Zhu, H; Wang, K  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Chen, X  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Li P; Li Q
Pages
4627-4639
Section
Original Research
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
1178-7031
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3190892532
Copyright
© 2025. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.