Epidermal growth factor and monocyte chemotactic peptide-1: Potential biomarkers of urinary tract obstruction in children with hydronephrosis

Abstract Objective Hydronephrosis is diagnosed in 0.5% of all newborns, and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common cause. The aim of this study was to test whether specific urinary cytokines can be used as UPJO biomarkers in children with hydronephrosis. Materials and methods Twenty-eight children referred for pyeloplasty due to UPJO and 13 controls were included in this prospective study. Kidney function was assessed and urine samples collected pre-, peri-, and post-operatively. Urine levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemotactic peptide-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), and RANTES were measured simultaneously by using a bead-based multiplex sandwich immunoassay. Results In hydronephrotic children, preoperative urine levels were significantly increased for EGF (median 7.4 [1.2–60.2] vs. median 4.0 [1.2–13.8] ng/mg creatinine) and MCP-1 (median 136.9 [47.7–545.5] vs. median 80.1 [28.8–149.9] pg/mg creatinine) compared to those of controls. Urine levels of EGF and MCP-1 were identical to controls at the postoperative 1-year follow-up exam. Conclusion Urine levels of EGF and MCP-1 were preoperatively increased and postoperatively normalized. This study demonstrates that urine-excreted kidney cytokines may be potential biomarkers of obstruction in children with hydronephrosis.