Accurate measurement and clinical significance of urinary transforming growth factor-beta

Transforming growth factor beta(1), (TGF-beta(1)) is the main modulator of the healing process after tissue injury. In the kidney, if TGF-beta(1) release is not switched off, extracellular matrix components (ECM) are accumulated and tissue fibrosis occurs. Urinary TGF-beta(1) levels reflect its renal production and it has been determined in various types of glomerular disease. In this review, a critical analysis of the different immunoassays that have been used for the measurement of TGF-beta(1) in the urine is presented and the importance of the serial determination of urinary TGF-beta(1) levels in patients with various types of renal disease is discussed. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.