Program in Membrane Biology, Renal Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; and AusAm Biotechnologies, Inc., New York, New York

Correspondence: Wayne D. Comper, AusAm Biotechnologies, 645 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022. E-mail: wcomper@ausambiotech.com

Abstract

Mechanism of albuminuria associated with cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. The major underlying factors associated with tissue damage and fibrosis in cardiovascular and kidney disease are the up-regulation and action of growth factors such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-) and cytokines produced in response to changes in systemic factors, particularly blood pressure or hyperglycemia. This study identifies the relationship of elevated levels of TGF- to increased levels of intact albumin in the urine (micro- and macroalbuminuria). This mechanism may be directly linked to the effect of TGF- on albumin uptake and the lysosomal breakdown of filtered albumin by proximal tubular cells prior to excretion.