PREDICTION AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY

Abstract
The present invention relates to prediction and early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI). The method provides biomarkers that correlate with a patient's risk of developing AKI, or with the presence of early stage AKI. The invention also provides devices and kits for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and for diagnosing AKI.
Description
SEQUENCE LISTING

A sequence listing in electronic (ASCII text file) format is filed with this application and incorporated herein by reference. The name of the ASCII text file is “Sequence_listing_v2.txt”; the file was created on May 9, 2023; the size of the file is 1,304,443 bytes.


SUMMARY

The present invention pertains to the field of organ failure prediction and early diagnosis. In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and/or diagnosing AKI at an early time point.


The invention comprises the steps of determining the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers shown in Table 1, and comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker, whereby the risk of occurrence of AKI is predicted and/or AKI is timely diagnosed. The inventors identified different sets of biomarkers.


In an aspect, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of AKI and/or diagnosing AKI at an early time point upon a medical intervention. More preferably, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of AKI and/or diagnosing AKI at an early time point upon a surgical intervention. More preferably, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of AKI and/or diagnosing AKI at an early time point upon solid organ transplantation (sTx) and/or upon cardiac surgery. More preferably, the present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of AKI and/or diagnosing AKI at an early time point upon lung transplantation (LuTx), upon kidney transplantation, upon heart valve repair or replacement, upon coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), upon transmyocardial laser revascularization and/or upon heart transplantion.


The present invention also contemplates a method for stratifying subjects for a change of therapy plan in order to improve patients' outcome. The method may include stratification for additional medication to stabilize kidney function. In an embodiment, the invention may contemplate a diagnostic test useful as a companion diagnostic to a therapeutic drug to determine its applicability to a specific person (companion diagnostic test). Encompassed are, furthermore, diagnostic devices and kits for carrying out the methods disclosed herein.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kidney/AKI


The kidney is responsible for water and solute excretion from the body. Its functions include maintenance of acid-base balance, regulation of electrolyte concentrations, control of blood volume, and regulation of blood pressure. As such, loss of kidney function through injury and/or disease results in substantial morbidity and mortality. Renal disease and/or injury may be acute and/or chronic. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt (typically detected within about 48 hours to 1 week) reduction in renal function with loss of filtration capacity. This results in retention of nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous waste products that are normally excreted by the kidney resulting in acid-base imbalance and electrolyte imbalance. This results in turn in a change in urine output, overhydration and an increase in non-nitrogenous and nitrogenous metabolic waste products such as the serum renal retention parameters creatinine and urea. The symptoms accompanying AKI are very diverse and may include decreased urine production, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, abdominal and chest pain, edema, shortness of breath, confusion, seizure or coma, confusion or fatigue. However, AKI can also be symptom-free, especially at early stages. AKI includes diagnosis codes N17.0, N17.1, N17.2, N17.8 and N17.9 according to ICD-10 (2019).


Etiological Groups


Clinically, AKI can be classified into 3 etiological groups:

    • prerenal—an adaptive response to severe renal hypoperfusion due to major bleeding, hypotension and ischemia reperfusion injury,
    • renal or intrinsic—a response to cytotoxic, ischemic or inflammatory injury of the kidney or autoimmune diseases affecting the kidney (i.e. glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis and others) with structural and functional damage, and
    • postrenal—the result of the mechanical obstruction of the urinary tract (i.e. prostate hypertrophy, obstructive uropathy, stones)


Prerenal AKI can be the consequence of hypovolemia resulting from conditions such as hemorrhage; impaired cardiac output resulting from congestive heart failure; decreased vascular resistance resulting from conditions such as sepsis or renal vasoconstriction from vasoconstrictive medications. Prerenal AKI often leads to intrinsic AKI if not treated correctly.


Renal etiologies of AKI are very diverse and can affect all four structures of the kidney, meaning that the damages can be tubular, glomerular, interstitial or vascular. The main causes of the renal etiology of AKI are ischemia, for example as a consequence of surgery; nephrotoxicity, for example resulting from radiocontrast media or certain types of antibiotics; acute glomerulonephritis; acute interstitial nephritis or vascular injury of the kidney due for example to malignant hypertension.


Causes of postrenal AKI are characterized by an obstruction of the urinary flow, which can be due for example to prostate or gynecological cancers, fibrosis or ureteral valve disease or kidney stones.


Prevalence of AKI


In the Western hemisphere, AKI has become primarily a nosocomial disease and it is a very common clinical condition in critically ill patients and after major surgeries. Indeed, AKI occurs in 5-7% of hospitalized patients (Basile et al., 2012). In addition, incidence of AKI is 5-7.5% for all acute care hospitalizations and accounts for up to 52.6% of all patients on intensive care units (ICUs) (Fuhrman et al., 2018). Surgical intervention is a major risk factor for AKI with 50% of the patients facing AKI during the peri-operative hospital stay (Hobson et al., 2016). After solid organ tx (tx=transplantation) incidence rates are between 25% (after kidney tx) and up to 65% (after liver tx) in the peri-operative period (Kalisvaart et al., 2018). After lung tx (LuTx) AKI incidence is of 50-65% (Wehbe et al., 2013; Wehbe et al., 2012). Moreover, incidence of AKI is up to 70% upon hematopoietic cell transplantation (Kogon & Hingorani, 2010). The incidence of AKI in men is 1.6-fold higher than in women (Brown et al., 2016). AKI also increases patients' morbidity and the length of in-hospital stay. Furthermore, long-term consequences of AKI such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) can lead to the need of dialysis, renal replacement therapy (RRT) or kidney transplantation. Therefore, AKI is associated with significant healthcare costs.


Classification of AKI


The first classification system for defining and detecting AKI emerged in 2002 and was published as RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and ESKD-End-stage kidney disease) classification in 2004 (Bellomo et al., 2004). The RIFLE classification is based on three clinical parameters (SCreat: serum creatinine or GFR: glomerular filtration rate and UO: urine output) and defines three severity classes (Risk, Injury and Failure) and two outcome classes (Loss of kidney function and End-stage kidney disease, ESKD) as follows:

    • “Risk”: SCreat 1.5 fold increased or GFR decreased >25% and UO<0.5 ml/kg/h during 6 hours;
    • “Injury”: SCreat 2.0 fold increased or GFR decreased >50% and UO<0.5 ml/kg/h during 12 hours;
    • “Failure”: SCreat 3.0 fold increased or SCreat >4 mg/dl and GFR decreased >75% and UO<0.3 ml/kg/h during 24 hours or anuria for at least 12 hours;
    • “Loss”: Persistent need for renal replacement therapy for more than 4 weeks;
    • “ESKD”: need for dialysis for more than 3 months.


As an example, a patient with a UO of more than 0.5 ml/kg/h during 6 hours and a two-fold increase in SCreat will be categorized in the Injury class. The RIFLE classification leads to a high sensitivity and a low specificity for the mild classes (Risk and Injury), i.e. patients without renal failure will be falsely included in the Risk class. On the opposite, the End-stage kidney disease class has a high specificity and a low sensitivity. Therefore, it will miss some patients.


Although the RIFLE classification has been largely validated in terms of AKI diagnosis and prognosis in various clinical settings (Lopes & Jorge, 2013), it has a number of important limitations. Among those limitations are the requirement of a baseline SCreat value, the limited accuracy of the urine output measurement and the role of several confounding factors on the urine output measurement such as diabetes, the use of diuretics or the hydration status.


In an attempt to further improve the outcome of AKI patients, the AKI Network proposed a new classification in 2007 (Mehta et al., 2007). In this classification, the two outcome classes were removed and the Risk, Injury and Failure classes were replaced by the categories AKIN1, AKIN2 and AKIN3. Furthermore, some modifications were made compared to the RIFLE classification: before diagnosing AKI, an adequate status of hydration shall be achieved and urinary obstruction shall be ruled out. The AKIN1 class is broadened compared to RISK class as it includes an increase in SCreat of more than or equal to 0.3 mg/dl even if it does not reach 1.5-fold from the baseline. In addition, the use of GFR as a clinical parameter was discarded as this added additional complexity to the classification system.


AKIN Classification for AKI as Proposed by Mehta et al., 2007.














Stage
Serum creatinine (SCreat) criteria
Urine output criteria







AKIN1
Increase in SCreat of more than or
Less than 0.5 ml/kg per hour



equal to 0.3 mg/dl (>26.4 μmol/l) or
for more than 6 hours



increase to more than or equal to




150% to 200% (1.5- to 2-fold)




from base-line



AKIN2
Increase in SCreat to more than
Less than 0.5 ml/kg per



200% to 300% (>2- to 3-fold)
hour for more than 12 hours



from baseline



AKIN3
Increase in SCreat to more than
Less than 0.3 ml/kg per



300% (>3-fold)from baseline (or
hour for 24 hours or anuria



more than or equal to 4.0 mg/dl
for 12 hours



[≥354 μmol/l] with an acute




increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl




[44 μmol/l]









The present invention relies on the AKIN classification system for classifying the patients into two groups: AKI, which corresponds to AKIN stages 1, 2 and 3; and control, corresponding to patients showing no sign of AKI according to the AKIN classification.


One of the major drawbacks of the AKIN classification system is the fact that AKI can only be diagnosed if an increase (SCreat) or a drop (UO) of the clinical parameters occurs within a 48 h period. Therefore, patients with an AKI that develops within a longer period might be missed by this classification system. The AKIN classification is a slightly modified version of the RIFLE classification and some of its limitations are very similar to those of the RIFLE classification. The major common limitation of both classification systems is the fact that the clinical parameters used for the staging of the patients are influenced by various confounding aspects such as gender, age or volume status, resulting in a limited reliability. In addition, the classification systems do not allow an early detection of AKI and today there is no assay available that allows predicting the individual risk for AKI prior to surgery or ICU admission.


Biomarkers in the Field of AKI


So far, only a few biomarkers have been described for assessing the individual risk of AKI. As far as the diagnosis of AKI is concerned, current AKI diagnostics is mainly based on monitoring serum creatinine elevation and the decrease of the glomerular filtration rate or urine output. These parameters are influenced by gender, age, and volume status and therefore they are insufficient for early detection.


Currently, discussed biomarkers for AKI prediction and diagnosis are NGAL, Kim-1, IL18, L-FABP, AGT as well as TIMP-2 and IGFBP7, both of the latter are assessed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved NephroCheck® (Astute Medical, Inc.) test. NephroCheck® has limited reliability (sensitivity 76%, false positive rate ˜50%) and other biomarkers have the disadvantage of being only transiently (NGAL) or late stage deregulated (KIM1).


Thus, there is still a strong need for more reliable biomarkers for prediction and early diagnosis of AKI. Moreover, diagnosis and further personalized treatment of subjects with AKI would be beneficial for improving patients' outcome and for the cost-efficiency of the health system.


Proteins, as the end product or the acting products of gene expression play a vital role in all activities of a cell. Proteins, as readily available through many body fluids such as plasma, urine and tissue extracts, provide the immediate option for clinical analysis. Proteomic technologies are important for the discovery of clinically relevant biomarkers in various indications.







DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention methods of predicting AKI and methods of diagnosing early stage AKI.


Method


The method of this invention is suitable for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker, and comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker. Preferably, the biomarkers of the present invention are of human origin, including human proteins and human carbohydrates.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of


CD9 antigen, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Basigin, C-C motif, chemokine 7, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Caspase-9, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, CTP synthase 1, CD139, Max dimerization protein 4, Transmembrane protein 54, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein, Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Interleukin-8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof (the list corresponds to SEQ ID No. 1 to 304 as well as CD15 and CD139; and

    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


The present inventors identified 92 biomarkers (shown in Table 1). 79 thereof have proven to be particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI (shown in Table 2) and 26 thereof have proven to be particularly useful for early diagnosis of AKI (shown in Table 3), respectively. 12 biomarkers have proven to be particularly useful for both predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and for early diagnosis of AKI (shown in Table 4). 35 biomarkers have shown a higher abundance in connection with AKI (shown in Table 5) and 68 biomarkers have shown lower abundance in connection with AKI (shown in Table 6).


In an embodiment, the method includes determining the amount of biomarkers that are downregulated in subjects having AKI or being at risk of developing AKI. In an embodiment, the biomarkers have a log FC of less than −0.7. In an embodiment, the method includes determining the amount of biomarkers that are upregulated in subjects having AKI or being at risk of developing AKI. In an embodiment, the biomarkers have a log FC of at least 0.7.


“log FC” is defined as the log fold change calculated for the basis 2 and represents the differences in protein abundance/amount between AKI patients and patients without AKI. The amount may be determined using an antibody microarray as disclosed herein, such as disclosed in the example section. A log FC=1 means that AKI patients have on average a 21=2 fold higher abundance of biomarker as compared to patients without AKI. log FC=−1 stands for 2−1=½ of the abundance of biomarker in AKI patients compared to patients without AKI.


All of the methods disclosed herein may include the step of predicting the risk of the subject of developing AKI based on a comparison of the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount of the biomarker. For biomarkers that are upregulated in subjects with AKI, an increased amount of the biomarker compared with the reference amount may indicate that the subject has AKI. For biomarkers that are upregulated in subjects with a risk of developing AKI, an increased amount of the biomarker compared with the reference amount may indicate that the subject is at risk of developing AKI. For biomarkers that are downregulated in subjects with AKI, a decreased amount of the biomarker compared with the reference amount may indicate that the subject has AKI. For biomarkers that are downregulated in subjects with a risk of developing AKI, a decreased amount of the biomarker compared with the reference amount may indicate that the subject is at risk of developing AKI.


Determining the amount of biomarker in a sample may include biomarker detection. Biomarker detection may include binding the biomarker to a binding agent. The binding agent may be selected from proteins that bind specifically to the respective biomarker. Examples of such proteins include antibodies. Another example is a receptor in case the biomarker is a ligand to the receptor. The binding agent can be immobilized on a substrate. For example, most of the biomarkers of this invention can be detected using immobilized antibodies.


Some of the biomarkers described herein are ligands of the Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B. For these markers, an immobilized Fc-Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B-Fusion protein can be used for capturing ligands of this receptor as an alternative to using antibodies. The ligands include Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha (SEQ ID No. 251-252). Examples of such ligands include marker no. 5 in table 1, marker no. 4 in table 2; and/or marker no. 5 in table 6. Evidence for the usefulness of all these biomarkers is given in the example section. Generally, all of these biomarkers are useful for predicting and diagnosing AKI.


In an embodiment, the method includes determining the amount of at least one biomarker that is upregulated in connection with AKI. In this embodiment, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is upregulated in connection with AKI selected from the group consisting of


Interferon alpha-1/13, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Caspase-9, Interleukin 7, Interleukin-18, Serum amyloid P-component, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Eotaxin, Max dimerization protein 4, Interleukin-15, CTP synthase 1, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, RNA-binding protein 3, Transmembrane protein 54, C-C motif chemokine 7, Homeobox protein Hox-C11, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, High mobility group protein B2, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Complement decay-accelerating factor, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Caspase-8, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interstitial collagenase, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, Zinc finger protein 593, Endothelin-1 receptor, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Galectin-4, Major prion protein, Complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin and Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof, and

    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


These biomarkers have shown higher abundance in connection with AKI. The listed upregulated biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. 13, 69-77, 80-83, 27-29, 25-26, 122, 127-128, 102-103, 61, 131, 98-99, 129-130, 65-67, 121, 132-134, 18, 145, 153, 184, 144, 146, 137-143, 190, 191-193, 52-60, 93-97, 112, 223-224, 233, 218-222, 198-212, 225, 234-235, 241-246, 249-250, 30, 152, 253-255, 259-265, 271-276, and 282-294 respectively.


As used in this description, a biomarker that is upregulated or downregulated “in connection with AKI” means that the biomarker is up- or downregulated, respectively, in subjects who are at risk of developing AKI, or who have (e.g. early stage) AKI.


In an embodiment, the method includes determining the amount of at least one biomarker that is downregulated in connection with AKI. In this embodiment, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is downregulated in connection with AKI selected from the group consisting of


Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, CD9 antigen, Dickkopf-related protein 2, C-C motif chemokine 7, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, Major priori protein, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Interleukin-7, Basigin, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Lamin-B1, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Eotaxin, Caspase-8, C-C motif chemokine 3, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, C-C motif chemokine 5, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, Leukosialin, Interstitial collagenase, Melanophilin, Myeloblastin, Dickkopf-related protein 3, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, RNA-binding protein 3, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Interleukin-15, Tetraspanin-16, Matrilysin, Interferon alpha-1/13, CD139, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, L-selectin, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Krueppel-like factor 8, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Interleukin-8, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Caspase-3, Galectin-4, Mucin-5B, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Death-associated protein kinase 1, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, Neurotrophin-4, Interleukin-18-binding protein, Haptoglobin, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof, and

    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


These biomarkers have shown lower abundance in AKI. The listed downregulated biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. 1, 2-4, 6-12, 5, 19, 20, 18, 43-46, 31-38, 30, 39-40, 27-29, 14-17, 21-24, 25-26, 41-42, 78-79, 68, 64, 61, 52-60, 62, 47-51, 63, 65-67, 85-88, 104, 112, 107-111, 120, 92, 105-106, 84, 100-101, 114-119, 93-97, 121, 89-91, 98, 123-126, 113, 13, 160-183, 154-155, 135, 148-151, 147, 194, 156-158, 136, 152, 159, 185, 186, 188-189, 195-197, 226-231, 232, 214-217, 213, 236, 247, 237, 238-240, 248, 251-252, 256-258, 266-270, 277-281, and 295-304 respectively, as well as CD15 and CD139.


The following methods are preferred methods. The sets of biomarkers used in the preferred methods have shown to be particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and/or early diagnosis of AKI. In the following passages only step a. is indicated. Preferably, the methods also include the following step subsequent to step a.:

    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD15 and Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 6.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Haptoglobin, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 6.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, and Lamin-B1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high quality score of 4.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Major prion protein, Interleukin-18-binding protein, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high quality score of 4.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component and Tetraspanin-16, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high quality score of 3.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high quality score of 3.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Neurotrophin-4 and Complement factor D, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Dickkopf-related protein 2, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2 and Serum amyloid P-component, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15 and Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also membrane biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Complement factor D, and Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 7. They are also membrane biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Myeloblastin and Tetraspanin-16, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also membrane biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD99 antigen, and CD99R antigen, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also membrane biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Melanophilin, Myeloblastin, Serum amyloid P-component, Krueppel-like factor 8, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Prelamin-A/C, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein and POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing distinct kidney expression. Distinct kidney expression refers to specific abundance within kidney substructures observed by the inventors. This indicates specific renal functions of the markers making them particularly suitable as biomarkers for kidney injury.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15 and Myeloblastin, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also showing distinct kidney expression. Distinct kidney expression refers to specific abundance within kidney substructures observed by the inventors. This indicates specific renal functions of the markers making them particularly suitable as biomarkers for kidney injury. In addition, these three proteins are expressed by leukocytes; more specifically they are located on the cell membrane or in polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules. This is of special importance as leukocytes are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury as the immune response to kidney damage during AKI is an important contributor to a prolonged lack of renal function and progression of kidney injury (Kinsey & Okusa, 2012).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD15, Lamin-B1, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Krueppel-like factor 8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4 and Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers were detected as differentially abundant in male patients and are particularly useful for predicting and/or diagnosing AKI in male patients.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD15, Lamin-B1 and MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They were also detected as differentially abundant in male patients and are particularly useful for predicting and/or diagnosing AKI in male patients.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, Tetraspanin-16, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the tetraspanin family of integral membrane proteins. They interact with a variety of proteins and other tetraspanins and are required for the normal development and function of several organs including the eye, kidney and the immune system (Charrin et al., 2014).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Serum amyloid P-component, L-selectin and Galectin-4, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the Lectin family. Lectins are specific carbohydrate binding proteins and one of their major functions is to facilitate cell-cell contacts. Selectins, for instance, are involved in leukocyte adhesion and signaling at the vascular wall being crucial steps during inflammation and immune response (McEver, 2015).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the microtubuli binding proteins. In kidney tubular epithelial cells, the microtubule cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in the maintenance of cell polarity thereby influencing renal function (Drubin & Nelson, 1996).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing protein serine/threonine kinase activity. Serine/Threonine kinases are key mediators in various signaling pathways including regulation of renal tubular transport (Satoh et al., 2015).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing protein-tyrosine phosphatases activity. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation signaling is crucial in podocyte function and repair (Nezvitsky et al., 2014; Hsu et al., 2017).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CTP synthase 1 and CAD protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pyrimidines are fundamental for DNA replication, gene transcription, protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Interferon alpha-1/13 and Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are proteins of the Jak-STAT signaling pathway. The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, in particular STAT1 and STAT3, was shown to be activated in renal and non-renal cells of kidney diseases, such as renal fibrosis and diabetic nephropathy (Chuang & He, 2010; Pang et al., 2010).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Interleukin-16, and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, CD99R antigen, Galectin 4, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers show a large absolute delta log FC between predictive and diagnostic status of the subject of at least 0.5, preferably of at least 1.0, which is associated with an elevated risk of developing AKI or diagnosing AKI at an early stage.


In an embodiment of the diagnostic method, further biomarkers are determined in the sample in addition to the biomarkers listed herein. The further biomarkers may be one, two, three or more biomarkers selected from the protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers.


Predictive Method


The following methods are preferred predictive methods, i.e. methods used to determine the risk that the subject will develop AKI. The sets of biomarkers used in the preferred methods have shown to be particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI. In the following passages only step a. is indicated. Preferably, the methods also include the following step subsequent to step a.:

    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is upregulated in connection with imminent AKI, wherein the upregulated predictive biomarker is selected from the group consisting of


Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serum amyloid P-component, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Homeobox protein Hox-C11, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, High mobility group protein B2, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Complement decay-accelerating factor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, Zinc finger protein 593, Endothelin-1 receptor, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The listed upregulated predictive biomarkers have proven to be particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI. These biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. 69-77, 122, 127-128, 102-103, 145, 153, 184, 144, 146, 137-143, 223-224, 233, 218-222, 198-212, 225, and 241-246, respectively.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is downregulated in connection with imminent AKI, wherein the downregulated predictive biomarker is selected from the group consisting of


CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, CD9 antigen, Dickkopf-related protein 2, C-C motif chemokine 7, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, Major prion protein, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Interleukin-7, Basigin, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Lamin-B1, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Eotaxin, Caspase-8, C-C motif chemokine 3, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, C-C motif chemokine 5, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, Leukosialin, Interstitial collagenase, Melanophilin, Myeloblastin, Dickkopf-related protein 3, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced, protein ig-h3, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, RNA-binding protein 3, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Interleukin-15, Tetraspanin-16, Matrilysin, Interferon alpha-1/13, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, L-selectin, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Krueppel-like factor 8, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Interleukin-8, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Caspase-3, Galectin-4, Mucin-5B, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Death-associated protein kinase 1, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, Neurotrophin-4, Interleukin-18-binding protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The listed downregulated predictive biomarkers have proven to be particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI. These biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. 2-4, 6-12, 5, 19, 20, 18, 43-46, 31-38, 30, 39-40, 27-29, 14-17, 21-24, 25-26, 41-42, 78-79, 68, 64, 61, 52-60, 62, 47-51, 63, 65-67, 85-88, 104, 112, 107-111, 120, 92, 105-106, 84, 100-101, 114-119, 93-97, 121, 89-91, 98, 123-126, 113, 13, 160-183, 154-155, 135, 148-151, 147, 194, 156-158,136,152, 159, 185, 195-197, 226-231, 232, 214-217, 213, 247, 237, 238-240, 248, 251-252, 256-258, 266-270, 277-281, and 295-304 respectively, as well as CD15.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD15 and Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 6.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Interferon alpha-1/13 and Neurotrophin-4, isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5. In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:
    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor-like factor 2 and Lamin-B1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high quality score of 4.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Interleukin-18-binding protein, isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high quality score of 4. In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:
    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component and Tetraspanin-16, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high quality score of 3.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, CUE domain-containing protein 2 Interleukin-16, Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high quality score of 3.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Neurotrophin-4, and Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Dickkopf-related protein 2, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, and Serum amyloid P-component, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also membrane biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Myeloblastin, Tetraspanin-16, CD99 antigen, and CD99R antigen, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also membrane biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Melanophilin, Myeloblastin, Krueppel-like factor 8, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Prelamin-A/C, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing distinct kidney expression. Distinct kidney expression refers to specific abundance within kidney substructures observed by the inventors. This indicates specific renal functions of the markers making them particularly suitable as biomarkers for kidney injury.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They are also showing distinct kidney expression. Distinct kidney expression refers to specific abundance within kidney substructures observed by the inventors. This indicates specific renal functions of the markers making them particularly suitable as biomarkers for kidney injury.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD15, Lamin-B1, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Krueppel-like factor 8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, Prelamin-A/C, Death-associated protein kinase 1, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers were detected as differentially abundant in male patients and are particularly useful for predicting AKI in male patients.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD15, Lamin-B1, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 3 to 6. They were also detected as differentially abundant in male patients and are particularly useful for predicting AKI in male patients.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, Tetraspanin-16, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the tetraspanin family of integral membrane proteins. They interact with a variety of proteins and other tetraspanins and are required for the normal development and function of several organs including the eye, and the immune system (Charrin et al., 2014).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Serum amyloid P-component, L-selectin and Galectin-4, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the Lectin family. Lectins are specific carbohydrate binding proteins and one of their major functions is to facilitate cell-cell contacts. Selectins, for instance, are involved in leukocyte adhesion and signaling at the vascular wall being crucial steps during inflammation and immune response (McEver, 2015).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the microtubuli binding proteins. In kidney tubular epithelial cells, the microtubule cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in the maintenance of cell polarity thereby influencing renal function (Drubin & Nelson, 1996).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Death-associated protein kinase 1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing protein serine/threonine kinase activity. Serine/Threonine kinases are key mediators in various signaling pathways including regulation of renal tubular transport (Satoh et al., 2015).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one predictive biomarker selected from the group of CAD protein, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pyrimidines are fundamental for DNA replication, gene transcription, protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one predictive biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Interferon alpha-1/13, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are proteins of the Jak-STAT signaling pathway. The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway is crucial for the kidney's response to injury and the progression of several renal diseases (Chuang & He, 2010; Pang et al., 2010).


In an embodiment of the predictive method, further biomarkers are determined in the sample in addition to the biomarkers listed herein. The further biomarkers may be one, two, three or more biomarkers selected from the protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers.


Diagnostic Method


The following methods are preferred diagnostic methods, the methods are used to determine whether a subject has (early stage) AKI. The sets of biomarkers used in the preferred methods have shown to be particularly useful for diagnosing AKI early. In the following passages only step a. is indicated. Preferably, the methods also include the following step subsequent to step a.:

    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is upregulated in connection with existing early AKI, wherein the upregulated diagnostic biomarker is selected from the group consisting of


Interferon alpha-1/13, Caspase-9, Interleukin-7, Interleukin-18, Eotaxin, Max dimerization protein 4, Interleukin-15, CTP synthase 1, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, RNA-binding protein 3, Transmembrane protein 54, C-C motif chemokine 7, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Caspase-8, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interstitial collagenase, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Galectin-4, Major prion protein, complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin and Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The listed upregulated diagnostic biomarkers have proven to be particularly useful for early diagnosis of AKI. These biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. (13, 80-83, 27-29, 25-26, 61, 131, 98-99, 129-130, 65-67, 121, 132-134, 18, 190, 191-193, 52-60, 93-97, 112, 234-235, and 249-250, 253-255, 259-265, 266-270, 271-294, respectively).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is downregulated in connection with existing early AKI, wherein the downregulated diagnostic biomarker is selected from the group consisting of


Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD139, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Krueppel-like factor 8, and Cytochrome P450 1B1 as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The listed downregulated diagnostic biomarkers have proven to be particularly useful for early diagnosis of AKI. These biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. 1, 148-151, 186, 188-189, and 236, respectively, as well as CD139.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker that is downregulated in connection with existing early AKI, wherein the downregulated diagnostic biomarker is selected from the group consisting of Complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Interleukin-18-binding protein and Haptoglobin as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The listed downregulated diagnostic biomarkers have proven to be particularly useful for early diagnosis of AKI. These biomarkers correspond to SEQ ID Nos. 253-255, 259-262, 266-270, 277-281 respectively, as well as CD139.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group of Interferon alpha-1/13, isoforms, fragments and/or variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 6.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group of Complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 and Haptoglobin, isoforms, fragments and/or variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 6 or higher.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group of Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, isoforms, fragments and/or variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high quality score of 4.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group of Interferon alpha-1/13, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, isoforms, fragments and/or variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a very high quality score of 4 or 5. In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:
    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group of RNA-binding protein 3, isoforms, fragments and/or variants thereof.


These biomarkers are showing a high quality score of 3.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Interferon alpha-1/13, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and/or variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing an excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing a high to excellent quality score of 5 to 6. They are also secreted biomarkers making them particularly suitable candidates for detection in urine, blood, plasma or serum.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Krueppel-like factor 8, Cytochrome P450 1B1, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing distinct kidney expression. Distinct kidney expression refers to specific abundance within kidney substructures observed by the inventors. This indicates specific renal functions of the markers making them particularly suitable as biomarkers for kidney injury.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Krueppel-like factor 8 and Galectin-4, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers were detected as differentially abundant in male patients and are particularly useful for diagnosing AKI in male patients.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, as well as combinations thereof and fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers belong to the microtubuli binding proteins. In kidney tubular epithelial cells, the microtubule cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in the maintenance of cell polarity thereby influencing renal function (Drubin & Nelson, 1996).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, as well as fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing protein serine/threonine kinase activity.


Serine/Threonine kinases are key mediators in various signaling pathways including regulation of renal tubular transport (Satoh et al., 2015).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are showing protein-tyrosine phosphatases activity. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation signaling is crucial in podocyte function and repair (Nezvitsky et al. 2014; Hsu et al. 2017).


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of CTP synthase 1, as well as fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pyrimidines are fundamental for DNA replication, gene transcription, protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one diagnostic biomarker selected from the group consisting of Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Interferon alpha-1/13, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, as well as combinations thereof and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof. These biomarkers are proteins of the Jak-STAT signaling pathway. The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway is crucial for the kidney's response to injury and the progression of several renal diseases (Chuang & He, 2010; Pang et al., 2010)


In an embodiment of the diagnostic method, further biomarkers are determined in the sample in addition to the biomarkers listed herein. The further biomarkers may be one, two, three or more biomarkers selected from the protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers.


Preferred Groups of Biomarkers


The biomarkers as used herein include a polypeptide according to SEQ ID No. 1 to 304 or fragments or variants of such polypeptides being associated with the risk of occurrence or to the occurrence of AKI. “Polypeptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein. In the tables, all protein biomarkers are uniquely described by the Uniprot entry name, the Uniprot accession number as well as the respective gene name and official protein name as provided by the Uniprot database. For more information on the protein, see the UniProt Database, in particular, the UniProt release 2019_02 of Feb. 13, 2019, see also The UniProt Consortium (2017). The sequences of all protein biomarkers of the invention are listed in the sequence listing under SEQ ID No. 1 to 304.


Variants and/or isoforms of the biomarkers disclosed herein include polypeptides which differ in their amino acid sequences, e.g. due to the presence of conservative amino acid substitutions. Preferably, such variants and/or isoforms have an amino acid sequence being at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% identical over the entire sequence region to the amino acid sequences of the aforementioned specific polypeptides given in the sequence listing. Variants may be allelic variants, splice variants or any other species specific homologs, paralogs, or orthologs. Preferably, the percent identity can be determined by the algorithms of Needleman and Wunsch or Smith and Waterman. Programs and algorithms to carry out sequence alignments are well known by a skilled artisan. To carry out the sequence alignments, the program PileUp (Feng & Doolittle, 1987; Higgins & Sharp, 1989) or the programs Gap and BestFit (Needleman & Wunsch, 1970; Smith & Waterman, 1981), which are part of the GCG software packet (Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA 53711, Version 1991), may be used. The sequence identity values recited above in percent (%) may be determined using the program GAP over the entire sequence region with the following settings: Gap Weight: 50, Length Weight: 3, Average Match: 10.000 and Average Mismatch: 0.000, which, unless otherwise specified, shall always be used as standard settings for sequence alignments. In an embodiment, the variants of biomarkers include any isoforms of the respective biomarker.


The biomarkers of the present invention include protein biomarkers and non-protein biomarkers. Thus, not all of the 92 biomarkers of the present invention are proteins. The invention also includes non-protein biomarkers, namely CD15 and CD139.


In an aspect, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the step of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one protein biomarker, male patient biomarker, predictive biomarker, diagnostic biomarker, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarker, as well as combinations thereof and fragments and variants thereof, and
    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


The “protein biomarkers” of the present invention are CD9 antigen, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Basigin, C-C motif, chemokine 7, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Caspase-9, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin, type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, CTP synthase 1, Max dimerization protein 4, Transmembrane protein 54, Actin, cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein, Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Interleukin-8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as isoforms thereof.


“Male patient biomarkers” of the present invention are CD15, ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Lamin-B1, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Krueppel-like factor 8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, CD99R antigen and Galectin-4 as well as isoforms thereof. The male patient biomarkers are particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and for early diagnosis of AKI, respectively, in male subjects. Thus, in an embodiment of this invention the method includes determining an amount of at least one biomarker selected from SEQ ID No. 68, 105, 106, 20, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 195, 196, 197, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248 as well as CD15, or fragments or variants thereof, in a sample from a male subject, and comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker. The reference amount should preferably be determined in male subjects.


“Female patient biomarker” of the present invention is Major prion protein (SEQ ID No. 30). The female patient biomarker is particularly useful for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and for early diagnosis of AKI, respectively, in female subjects. Thus, in an embodiment of this invention the method includes determining an amount of biomarker SEQ ID No. 30 or fragments or variants thereof, in a sample from a female subject, and comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker. The reference amount should preferably be determined in female subjects.


“Predictive biomarkers” of this invention are CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Basigin, C-C motif chemokine 7, CD9 antigen, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Interleukin-8, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein, LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 4, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 as well as isoforms thereof, Neurotrophin-4, Interleukin-18-binding protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1 (corresponding to SEQ ID No. 2-79, 84-97, 98-128, 135-185, 194-233, 237-248, 251-252, 256-258, 266-270, 295-304 as well as CD15). It was found that these biomarkers are particularly useful for predicting AKI in a subject. The sample may be taken prior to a planned surgical intervention. Even more preferred, the predictive biomarker is selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, CD15, Myeloblastin, or fragments or variants thereof. More preferably, the biomarker is CD9 antigen having a sequence of SEQ ID No.19.


“Diagnostic biomarkers” of this invention are Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, Interferon alpha-1/13, Caspase-9, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, CTP synthase 1, C-C motif chemokine 7, CD139, Eotaxin, Max dimerization protein 4, Interleukin-15, RNA-binding protein 3, Transmembrane protein 54, Krueppel-like factor 8, Interstitial collagenase, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Caspase-8, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Galectin-4, Major prion protein, Complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin and Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein as well as isoforms thereof (corresponding to SEQ ID No.1, 13, 30, 80-83, 25-29, 129, 130, 18, 61-67, 131, 98, 99, 121, 132-134, 148-15, 112, 152, 186-189, 93-97, 190, 52-60, 191-193, 234-250, 253-255, 259-265, 266-270, 271-294, as well as CD139). It was found that these biomarkers are particularly useful for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject. The sample may be taken within 24 hours, 36 hours or 48 hours after surgical intervention.


“Combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers” of this invention are Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 7, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Interleukin-15, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Krueppel-like factor 8, Interstitial collagenase, and RNA-binding protein 3, Interleukin-18-binding protein, as well as isoforms thereof (corresponding to SEQ ID No. 52-61, 18, 65-67, 93-97, 13, 98, 99, 25-29, 148-151, 112, 121, 267-269). It was found that these biomarkers are particularly useful for both predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI in a subject and early diagnosis of AKI.


Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, it is particularly envisaged to determine the amount of more than one biomarker, e.g., for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI or for early diagnosis of AKI. The combined determination of biomarkers is advantageous since it allows for a higher specificity and sensitivity, e.g., when predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI or when diagnosing AKI timely.


The following combinations of biomarkers are particularly preferred in accordance with the methods, kits, devices, and uses of the present invention. Hence, in preferred embodiments, the invention includes determining in a sample obtained from the subject at least the amount of (optionally including fragments, variants and/or isoforms thereof):

    • A) CD9 and CD15,
    • B) CD9 antigen, CD15 and Myeloblastin,
    • C) CD9 antigen, CD15 and Dickkopf-related protein 2,
    • D) CD15 and Dickkopf-related protein 2,
    • E) CD15 and Interstitial collagenase,
    • F) CD15 and Cytokine receptor-like factor 2,
    • G) CD15, Dickkopf-related protein 2 and CD99 antigen (alternatively CD99R antigen),
    • H) CD15, Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Dickkopf-related protein 3,
    • 1) Cytokine receptor-like factor 2 and Dickkopf-related protein 2,
    • J) Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Interstitial collagenase,
    • K) CD15, Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, or
    • L) CD99 antigen, CD15, Myeloblastin, Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Cytokine receptor-like factor 2;
    • M) Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin;
    • N) Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Interferon alpha-1/13;
    • O) Interferon alpha-1/13, CD99R antigen, Myeloblastin and Nuclear factor of activated T-cells;
    • P) Myeloblastin and Nuclear factor of activated T-cells;
    • Q) Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein and WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2.


A combination of the aforementioned markers will increase sensitivity and specificity of the method.


In an embodiment, further biomarkers are determined in the sample in addition to the combinations given under A) to Q) above. The further biomarkers may be one or more biomarkers selected from the protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers.


Method Steps


The method of the present invention may essentially consist of the aforementioned steps

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one of the biomarkers of this invention, as well as combinations thereof and fragments, isoforms and variants thereof, and
    • b. comparing the amount of the biomarker with a reference amount for the biomarker.


The method may include further steps. In a preferred embodiment, the method is carried out ex vivo, i.e. not practiced on the human or animal body. The method can be assisted by automation.


In accordance with the method of the present invention, the risk of occurrence of AKI is predicted or AKI is diagnosed early in a subject. Preferably, AKI is predicted or diagnosed in the context of a medical intervention, which means that the method is carried out in the peri-operative setting. In the case of a surgical intervention, the “peri-operative setting” is the period between the admission of a subject at the hospital or ICU and the complete regeneration of the subject upon surgery, e.g. the subject's release from the hospital. Using the method of this invention, it can be predicted whether AKI will occur within 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 1 week, 10 days or 2 weeks or any intermittent time range after medical intervention.


The term “medical intervention” includes “surgical interventions” and other interventions. The other interventions may include the administration of drugs, including contrast agents or kidney stabilizing agents. Other interventions may also include avoiding administration of drugs including nephrotoxic substances.


Definitions

The term ‘solid organ’ as used herein refers to an inner organ of the body, which has a firm tissue consistency and is neither hollow nor liquid. Heart, kidney, liver, lung, ovaries, spleen and pancreas are solid organs per definition.


The term ‘solid organ transplantation’ as used herein refers to a surgical intervention during which a solid organ is removed from the body of a subject to be placed into the body of a recipient subject in order to replace a missing or a damaged organ.


The term ‘hematopoietic cell’ as used herein refers to blood cells. Hematopoietic cells encompass hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells and different blood cell types.


The term ‘hematopoeitic cell transplantation’ as used herein refers to a surgical intervention during which hematopoietic cells usually derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood or umbilical cord blood are transplanted.


“Predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI” may include assessing the probability prior to a medical intervention according to which AKI will occur in a subject within the period after the medical intervention. More preferably, the risk/probability of occurrence of AKI within up to two weeks after completion of the medical intervention is predicted (“predictive window”). In a preferred embodiment, the predictive window is an interval of at least 1 day, at least 2 days, at least 3 days, at least 4 days, at least 5 days, at least 6 days, at least 1 week, at least 10 days, or at least 2 weeks, or any intermittent time range. In a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predictive window, preferably, is an interval of up to 10 days, or more preferably, of up to 4 weeks. The predictive window may range until about 2 years after completion of the medical intervention, or until further medical intervention. Preferably, said predictive window is calculated from the completion of the medical intervention.


The term ‘completion of the medical intervention’ as used herein refers to a time point where the medical intervention is finished, e.g. release of the subject from the hospital. The medical intervention does not end with a release of the subject from the hospital in case medical treatment of the subject is needed beyond the time of release from the hospital. Alternatively, said predictive window is calculated from the time point at which the sample to be tested has been obtained.


As will be understood by those skilled in the art, such a prediction cannot be correct for 100% of the subjects. The term, however, requires that prediction can be made for a statistically significant portion of subjects in a proper and correct manner. Whether a portion is statistically significant can be determined by the person skilled in the art using various well-known statistic evaluation tools, e.g., determination of confidence intervals, p-value determination, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test etc. Details are found in Dowdy and Wearden, Statistics for Research, John Wiley & Sons, New York 1983. Preferred confidence intervals are at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%. The p-values are, preferably, less than 0.1, less than 0.05, less than 0.01, less than 0.005, or less than 0.0001. Preferably, the probability envisaged by the present invention allows that the prediction of an increased, normal or decreased risk will be correct for at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the subjects of a given cohort or population. The term, preferably, relates to predicting whether a subject is at elevated risk or reduced risk as compared to the average risk for the occurrence of AKI in a population of subjects.


Predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI as used herein may include that the subject to be analyzed by the method of the present invention is allocated either into the group of subjects being at risk of occurrence of AKI, or into the group of subjects being not at risk of occurrence of AKI. A risk of occurrence of AKI as referred to in accordance with the present invention means that the risk of occurrence of AKI is elevated (within the predictive window). Particularly, said risk may be elevated as compared to the average risk in a cohort of subjects undergoing medical intervention. A subject is considered not at risk of occurrence of AKI, if the risk of occurrence of AKI is reduced (within the predictive window). Particularly, said risk may be reduced as compared to the average risk in a cohort of subjects undergoing a medical intervention. A subject who is at risk of occurrence of AKI may have a risk of occurrence of AKI of 90% or larger, or of 75% or larger, particularly within a predictive window of 4 weeks. A subject who is not at risk of occurrence of AKI may have a risk of occurrence of AKI of lower than 50%, or lower than 10%, particularly within a predictive window of 4 weeks.


In an embodiment, “predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI” includes comparing the amount of at least one upregulated biomarker in a sample from a subject with a reference amount, wherein a subject is considered to be at risk of developing AKI, if the reference amount is exceeded in the sample. In an embodiment, “predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI” includes comparing the amount of at least one downregulated biomarker in a sample from a subject with a reference amount, wherein a subject is considered to be at risk of developing AKI, if the amount in the sample is less than the reference amount.


The term ‘early diagnosis’ as used herein refers to a timely diagnosis of AKI after intervention. More preferably, AKI should be diagnosed within 24 h after intervention.


The term “subject” as used herein relates to animals, preferably mammals, and, more preferably, humans. In an embodiment, the subjects are male subjects. The subject to be tested may undergo or may have undergone medical intervention. Preferably, the method is applied to a subject known to undergo surgical intervention. In an embodiment, the subject will undergo surgical intervention in the future, or has undergone surgical intervention at the time at which the sample is taken. For example, the subject may have undergone medical intervention 48 h, 24 h or less before the sample is obtained. In another embodiment, the sample is taken from a subject who will undergo medical intervention, e.g. within 48, or 24 hours.


Preferred Methods


In the method according to the present invention, at least one biomarker of the afore-mentioned group of biomarkers, and preferably of the proteins as shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 304, or fragments or variants thereof, is determined. However, more preferably, a group of biomarkers will be determined in order to strengthen specificity and/or sensitivity of the assessment. Such a group, preferably, comprises at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10 or up to all of the said biomarkers. In addition to the specific biomarkers recited in the specification, other biomarkers may be, preferably, determined as well in the methods of the present invention.


In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, said at least one biomarker is selected from the group of biomarkers of SEQ ID No. 1 to 304 as well as CD15 and CD139, or fragments or variants thereof.


In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, said at least one biomarker is selected from the group of biomarkers listed in SEQ ID No. 68, 105, 106, 20, 148, 149, 150, 151, 195, 196, 197, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248 as well as CD15, or fragments or variants thereof. A change in such a biomarker in a sample of a male test subject as compared to the reference is indicative for the risk of occurrence of AKI.


In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, said at least one biomarker is selected from the group of biomarkers listed in SEQ ID No. 68, 105, 106, 20, 148, 149, 150, 151, 195, 196, 197, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248 as well as CD15, or fragments or variants thereof. A change in such a biomarker in a sample of a male test subject as compared to the reference is indicative for the occurrence of AKI at an early time point.


The term ‘medical intervention’ as used herein refers to a medical action taken to analyze or improve the state of a subject potentially with a medical disorder. In the context of the present invention, an intervention can be the administration of a drug, avoiding a drug, the injection of contrast media or a surgical intervention.


The term ‘change of therapy plan’ as used herein refers to an adaptation of the patient's care in response to a prognosis or a diagnosis of AKI. Adaptation of the patient's care can consist in renal dialysis, avoiding nephrotoxic compounds, administration of kidney-stabilizing drugs, avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion, optimizing of the surgery strategy, stringent observation of the patient leading to earlier intervention.


The sample may be a sample of a body fluid, to a sample of separated cells, or to a sample from a tissue or an organ. Samples of body fluids can be obtained by well-known techniques and include, preferably, samples of urine or more preferably, samples of blood, plasma, or serum. Tissue or organ samples may be obtained from any tissue. Separated cells may be obtained from the body fluids or the tissues or organs by separating techniques such as centrifugation or cell sorting. Preferably, cell-, tissue- or organ samples are obtained from those cells, tissues or organs that express or produce the biomarkers referred to herein.


For the present invention, it is particularly preferred that the sample is plasma or serum obtained from the patient. More preferably, said sample is blood plasma obtained prior to surgical intervention for predicting the risk of AKI or up to 48 h, or up to 24 h upon medical intervention for early diagnosis of AKI.


The term ‘blood product’ as used herein refers to any therapeutic substance prepared from human blood. This includes blood components and plasma derivatives. For the present invention, red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were considered for the analysis.


Analyzing Samples


In an embodiment, the predictive method is used to determine before a medical intervention whether a subject may undergo medical intervention, and/or whether certain measures have to be taken prior or during the intervention to reduce the risk of AKI. For that purpose, the sample may be taken up to 6 months prior to a planned medical intervention.


The sample to be analyzed in the context of the methods of the present invention may be obtained prior or after a medical intervention, in particular prior or after the surgical intervention as described herein. A sample obtained prior to medical intervention is, preferably, obtained directly prior to the intervention. It is also contemplated to obtain a sample not more than six months, not more than three months, not more than six weeks, not more than two weeks, or not more than one week prior to medical intervention or at any time point prior medical intervention, such as within 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, within 7 days before a medical intervention. A sample obtained after medical intervention preferably, may be obtained within 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h or within 7 days after completion of medical intervention.


Determining the amount of the biomarkers referred to in this specification relates to measuring the amount or concentration, preferably semi-quantitatively or quantitatively. Measuring can be done directly or indirectly. Direct measuring relates to measuring the amount or concentration of the biomarker based on a signal that is obtained from the biomarker itself and the intensity of which directly or indirectly correlates with the number of molecules of the polypeptide present in the sample.


Such a signal—sometimes referred to herein as intensity signal may be obtained, e.g., by measuring an intensity value of a specific physical or chemical property of the polypeptide. Indirect measuring includes measuring of a signal obtained from a secondary component (i.e. a component not being the biomarker itself) or a biological read out system, e.g., measurable cellular responses, ligands, labels, or enzymatic reaction products.


In accordance with the present invention, determining the amount of a biomarker can be achieved by different means for determining the amount of a biomarker in a sample. Said means comprise immunoassay devices and methods that may utilize labeled molecules in various sandwich, competition, or other assay formats. Preferably, the immunoassay device is an antibody array, in particular a planar antibody microarray or a bead based antibody microarray. Also preferred are stripe tests. Said assays will develop a signal which is indicative for the presence or absence of the biomarker, e.g. a polypeptide biomarker.


Moreover, the signal strength can, preferably, be correlated directly or indirectly (e.g. proportional, or reverse-proportional) to the amount of biomarker present in a sample. Further suitable methods comprise measuring a physical or chemical property specific for the biomarker such as its precise molecular mass or NMR spectrum. Said methods comprise, preferably, biosensors, optical devices coupled to immunoassays, biochips, analytical devices such as mass-spectrometers, NMR-analyzers, or chromatography devices. Further, methods include micro-plate ELISA-based methods, fully-automated or robotic immunoassays, CBA (an enzymatic Cobalt Binding Assay), or latex agglutination assays. The determination of the amount of a biomarker can be performed in a medical laboratory or it can consist of a point-of-care testing.


Also preferably, determining the amount of a biomarker may comprise the step of measuring a specific intensity signal obtainable from the biomarker in the sample. As described above, such a signal may be the signal intensity observed at a mass to charge (m/z) variable specific for the biomarker observed in mass spectra or an NMR spectrum specific for the biomarker.


Determining the amount of a biomarker may, preferably, comprise the steps of

    • aa) contacting the biomarker with a specific ligand,
    • ab) optionally, removing non-bound ligand, and
    • ac) measuring the amount of bound ligand.


The bound ligand will generate an intensity signal. Binding includes both covalent and non-covalent binding. A ligand can be any compound, e.g., a peptide, polypeptide, nucleic acid, or small molecule, binding to the biomarker described herein. Preferred ligands include antibodies, nucleic acids, peptides or polypeptides such as receptors or binding partners for the biomarker and fragments thereof comprising the binding domains for the peptides, and aptamers, e.g. nucleic acid or peptide aptamers. Methods to prepare such ligands are well-known in the art. For example, identification and production of suitable antibodies or aptamers is also offered by commercial suppliers. The person skilled in the art is familiar with methods to develop derivatives of such ligands with higher affinity or specificity. For example, random mutations can be introduced into the nucleic acids, peptides or polypeptides. These derivatives can then be tested for binding according to screening procedures known in the art, e.g. phage display. Antibodies as referred to herein include both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, as well as fragments thereof, such as Fv, Fab, scFv and F(ab)2 fragments that are capable of binding antigen or hapten. The present invention also includes single chain antibodies and humanized hybrid antibodies wherein amino acid sequences of a non-human donor antibody exhibiting a desired antigen-specificity are combined with sequences of a human acceptor antibody. Alternatively, chimeric mouse antibodies with rabbit Fc can be used. The donor sequences will usually include at least the antigen-binding amino acid residues of the donor but may comprise other structurally and/or functionally relevant amino acid residues of the donor antibody as well. Such hybrids can be prepared by several methods well known in the art. Preferably, the ligand or agent binds specifically to the biomarker.


“Specific binding” according to the present invention means that the ligand or agent should not bind substantially to (“cross-react” with) another biomarker, polypeptide or substance present in the sample to be analyzed. Preferably, the specifically bound biomarker should be bound with at least 3 times higher, more preferably at least 10 times higher and even more preferably at least 50 times higher affinity than any other substance, biomarker or polypeptide in the sample. Non-specific binding may be tolerable, if it can still be distinguished and measured unequivocally, e.g. according to its size on a Western Blot, or by its relatively higher abundance in the sample.


Binding of the ligand can be measured by any method known in the art. Preferably, said method is semi-quantitative or quantitative. Suitable methods are described in the following. First, binding of a ligand may be measured directly, e.g. by mass spectroscopy, NMR or surface plasmon resonance. Second, if the ligand also serves as a substrate of an enzymatic activity of the biomarker of interest, an enzymatic reaction product may be measured (e.g. the amount of a protease can be measured by measuring the amount of cleaved substrate, e.g. on a Western Blot). Alternatively, the ligand may exhibit enzymatic properties itself and the “ligand/biomarker” complex or the ligand that was bound by the biomarker, respectively, may be contacted with a suitable substrate allowing detection by the generation of an intensity signal.


For measurement of enzymatic reaction products, preferably the amount of substrate is saturating. The substrate may also be labeled with a detectable label prior to the reaction. Preferably, the sample is contacted with the substrate for an adequate period of time. An adequate period of time refers to the time necessary for a detectable, preferably measurable, amount of product to be produced. Instead of measuring the amount of product, the time necessary for appearance of a given (e.g. detectable) amount of product can be measured. Third, the ligand may be coupled covalently or non-covalently to a label allowing detection and measurement of the ligand.


Labeling may be done by direct or indirect methods. Direct labeling involves coupling of the label directly (covalently or non-covalently) to the ligand. Indirect labeling involves binding (covalently or non-covalently) of a secondary ligand to the first ligand. The secondary ligand should specifically bind to the first ligand. Said secondary ligand may be coupled with a suitable label and/or be the target (receptor) of a tertiary ligand binding to the secondary ligand. The use of secondary, tertiary or even higher order ligands is often used to increase the signal. Suitable secondary and higher order ligands may include antibodies, secondary antibodies, and the well-known streptavidin-biotin system (Vector Laboratories, Inc.).


The ligand or substrate may also be “tagged” with one or more tags. Such tags may then be targets for higher order ligands. Suitable tags include biotin, digoxygenin, His-Tag, Glutathion-S-Transferase, FLAG, GFP, myc-tag, influenza A virus haemagglutinin (HA), maltose binding protein, and the like. In the case of a peptide or polypeptide, the tag is preferably at the N-terminus and/or C-terminus. Suitable labels are any labels detectable by an appropriate detection method. Typical labels include gold particles, latex beads, acridan ester, luminol, ruthenium, enzymatically active labels, radioactive labels, magnetic labels (“e.g. magnetic beads”, including paramagnetic and superparamagnetic labels), and fluorescent labels. Enzymatically active labels include e.g. horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-Galactosidase, Luciferase, and derivatives thereof. Suitable substrates for detection include di-amino-benzidine (DAB), 3,3′-5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, NBT-BCIP (4-nitro blue tetrazolium chloride and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate, available as ready-made stock solution from Roche Diagnostics), CDP-Star™ (Amersham Biosciences), ECF™ (Amersham Biosciences). A suitable enzyme-substrate combination may result in a colored reaction product, fluorescence or chemo luminescence, which can be measured according to methods known in the art (e.g. using a light-sensitive film or a suitable camera system). As for measuring the enzymatic reaction, the criteria given above apply analogously.


Suitable fluorescent labels include fluorescent proteins (such as GFP and its derivatives), Cy3, Cy5, or scioDye 1, scioDye 2, scioDye 3, scioDye 4 (Sciomics, Germany) or Texas Red, Fluorescein, and the Alexa dyes (e.g. Alexa 568). Further fluorescent labels are available e.g. from Molecular Probes (Oregon) or Dyomics (Germany). Further, the use of quantum dots as fluorescent labels is contemplated. Suitable radioactive labels include <35>S, <125>I, <32>P, <33>P and the like. A radioactive label can be detected by any method known and appropriate, e.g. a light-sensitive film or a phosphor imager. Suitable measurement methods include precipitation (particularly immunoprecipitation), electro-chemiluminescence (electro-generated chemiluminescence), RIA (radioimmunoassay), ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), sandwich enzyme immune tests, electro-chemiluminescence sandwich immunoassays (ECLIA), dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoro immuno assay (DELFIA), scintillation proximity assay (SPA), FRET based proximity assays (Pulli et al., 2005) or Ligation proximity assays (Fredriksson et al., 2002), turbidimetry, nephelometry, latex-enhanced turbidimetry or nephelometry, or solid phase immune tests. Further methods such as gel electrophoresis, 2D gel electrophoresis, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western Blotting, and mass spectrometry can be used alone or in combination with labeling or other detection methods as described above.


The amount of a biomarker may be, also preferably, determined as follows:

    • a1) contacting a solid support comprising a ligand for the biomarker as specified above with a sample comprising the biomarker,
    • a2) optionally, removing non-bound biomarker, and
    • a3) measuring the amount of biomarker which is bound to the support.


The ligand, preferably, chosen from the group consisting of nucleic acids, peptides, polypeptides, antibodies and aptamers, is preferably present on a solid support in immobilized form.


Materials for manufacturing solid supports are well known in the art and include, inter alia, commercially available column materials, polystyrene beads, latex beads, magnetic beads, colloid metal particles, glass and/or silicon chips and surfaces, nitrocellulose strips, membranes, sheets, duracytes, wells and walls of reaction trays, plastic tubes, or combinations thereof.


The ligand or agent may be bound to many different carriers. Examples of well-known carriers include glass, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, dextran, nylon, amyloses, natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, agaroses, and magnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble or insoluble for the purposes of the invention.


Suitable methods for fixing/immobilizing said ligand include, but are not limited to ionic, hydrophobic, covalent interactions and the like. It is also contemplated to use “suspension arrays” as arrays according to the present invention (Nolan & Sklar, 2002). In such suspension arrays, the carrier, e.g. a microbead or microsphere, is present in suspension. The array consists of different microbeads or microspheres, possibly labeled, carrying different ligands. Methods of producing such arrays, for example based on solid-phase chemistry and photo-labile protective groups, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,305, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.


The term “amount” as used herein encompasses the absolute amount of a biomarker, the relative amount or concentration of the said biomarker as well as any value or parameter which correlates thereto or can be derived therefrom. Such values or parameters comprise intensity signal values from all specific physical or chemical properties obtained from the said biomarker by direct measurements, e.g., intensity values in mass spectra or NMR spectra or surface Plasmon resonance spectra. Moreover, encompassed are all values or parameters which are obtained by indirect measurements specified elsewhere in this description, e.g., response levels determined from biological read out systems in response to the peptides or intensity signals obtained from specifically bound ligands. It is to be understood that values correlating to the aforementioned amounts or parameters can also be obtained by all standard mathematical operations.


The term “comparing” as used herein encompasses comparing the amount of the biomarker comprised in the sample to be analyzed with an amount of a suitable reference source specified elsewhere in this description. It is to be understood that “comparing” as used herein refers to a comparison of corresponding parameters or values, e.g., an absolute amount is compared to an absolute reference amount, while a concentration is compared to a reference concentration, or an intensity signal obtained from a test sample is compared to the same type of intensity signal of a reference sample. Preferably, the reference amount is the amount of the biomarker in healthy subjects, e.g. the average amount of the respective biomarker in a group of 10 or more, 30 or more, 50 or more, or 100 or more healthy subjects.


The comparison of the method of the present invention may be carried out manually or computer assisted. For a computer assisted comparison, the value of the determined amount may be compared to values corresponding to suitable references, which are stored in a database by a computer program. The computer program may further evaluate the result of the comparison, i.e. automatically provide the desired assessment in a suitable output format. Based on the comparison of the amount determined in step a) and the reference amount, it is possible to predict the risk of occurrence of AKI and/or diagnose AKI in a subject after medical intervention.


The term “reference” as used herein refers to amounts of the biomarker which allow for predicting whether a subject is at risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosing AKI at an early time point. Therefore, the reference may either be derived from

    • (i) a subject known to be at risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosed with AKI (or from a group of said subjects) or
    • (ii) a subject known not to be at risk of occurrence of AKI or not diagnosed with AKI (or from a group of said subjects). Preferably, said reference is derived from a sample of the aforementioned healthy subjects.


More preferably, a changed amount of the said at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers according to SEQ ID No. 2-79, 84-97, 98-128, 135-185, 194-233, 237-248, 251-252 as well as CD15 (Table 2) compared to the reference is indicative for a subject being at risk or not being at risk of occurrence of AKI, whereas a changed amount of the said at least one biomarker selected from the biomarkers according to SEQ ID No. 1, 13, 80-83, 25-29, 129, 130, 18, 61-67, 131, 98, 99, 121, 132-134, 148-15, 112, 186-189, 93-97, 190, 52-60, 191-193, 234-250 as well as CD139 (Table 3) compared to the reference is indicative for a subject with AKI or without AKI at an early time point.


Preferably, the changes as referred to herein are statistically significant.


In the context of the methods of the present invention, the amount of more than one biomarker may be determined. Of course, the determined amounts may be compared to various reference amounts, i.e. to the reference amounts for the individual biomarker tested.


Moreover, the references, preferably, define threshold amounts or thresholds. Suitable reference amounts or threshold amounts may be determined by the method of the present invention from a reference sample to be analyzed together, i.e. simultaneously or subsequently, with the test sample. A preferred reference amount serving as a threshold may be derived from the upper limit of normal (ULN), i.e. the upper limit of the physiological amount to be found in a population of subjects (e.g. patients enrolled for a clinical trial). The ULN for a given population of subjects can be determined by well known techniques. A suitable technique may be to determine the median of the population for the biomarker amounts to be determined in the method of the present invention. Suitable threshold amounts can also be identified by ROC plots depicting the overlap between the two distributions by plotting the sensitivity versus 1−specificity for the complete range of decision thresholds. On the y-axis is sensitivity, or the true-positive fraction, defined as (number of true-positive test results)/(number of true-positive+number of false-negative test results). This has also been referred to as positivity in the presence of a given disease. It is calculated solely from the affected subgroup. On the x-axis is the false-positive fraction, or 1−specificity, defined as (number of false-positive results)/(number of true-negative+number of false-positive results). It is an index of specificity and is calculated entirely from the unaffected subgroup. Because the true- and false-positive fractions are calculated entirely separately, by using the test results from two different subgroups, the ROC plot is independent of the prevalence of disease in the sample. Each point on the ROC plot represents a sensitivity/1-specificity pair corresponding to a particular decision threshold. A test with perfect discrimination (no overlap in the two distributions of results) has a ROC plot that passes through the upper left corner, where the true-positive fraction is 1.0, or 100% (perfect sensitivity), and the false-positive fraction is 0 (perfect specificity). The theoretical plot for a test with no discrimination (identical distributions of results for the two groups) is a 45 degrees diagonal line from the lower left corner to the upper right corner. Most plots fall in between these two extremes.


Diagnosis


Further preferred are the following diagnostic algorithms:

    • i) An essentially identical or an increased amount of the at least one biomarker as compared to the reference amount indicates that the subject is at risk of occurrence of AKI or is diagnosed with AKI, if the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers shown in Table 5, and if the reference amount is derived from a subject known to be at risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosed with AKI, and/or an essentially identical or a decreased amount of the at least one biomarker as compared to the reference amount indicates that the subject is at no risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosed with no occurrence of AKI, if the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers shown in Table 5, and if the reference amount is derived from a subject known to be not at risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosed with no occurrence of AKI.
    • ii) An essentially identical or a decreased amount of the at least one biomarker as compared to the reference amount indicates that the subject is at risk of occurrence of AKI or is diagnosed with AKI, if the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers shown in Table 6, and if the reference amount is derived from a subject known to be at risk of occurrence of AKI or is diagnosed with AKI, and/or an essentially identical or an increased amount of the at least one biomarker as compared to the reference amount indicates that the subject is not at risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosed with no occurrence of AKI, if the at least one biomarker is selected from the biomarkers shown in Table 6, and if the reference amount is derived from a subject known to be not at risk of occurrence of AKI or diagnosed with no occurrence of AKI.


Advantageously, it has been found in the study underlying the present invention that the biomarkers according to SEQ ID No. 1 to 304 as well as CD15 and CD139 are reliable markers for predicting the occurrence of AKI and/or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject undergoing medical intervention.


Said prediction and early diagnosis is of high importance since AKI, in particular in the peri-operative setting, has a high incidence rate. AKI is associated with a high patient mortality and morbidity, with consequences such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring life-long monitoring and treatment and resulting in high health care costs. The findings underlying the aforementioned method also a1-low for an improved clinical management of AKI since subjects can be identified which require a change in therapy plan.


Change in Therapy


It is to be understood that a subject who is at risk of AKI occurrence or a subject who is diagnosed at an early time point for AKI may require a change in therapy plan compared to a subject who is not at risk of AKI occurrence.


Therefore, the aforementioned method, preferably, further comprises the step of change of therapy plan. A change in therapy plan includes, as discussed above, renal dialysis, avoiding nephrotoxic drugs, administration of kidney-stabilizing drugs, administration of drugs preventing AKI, drugs alleviating or reversing AKI effects or drugs preventing further development of AKI into CKD, avoiding anemia, optimization of the strategy of the surgical intervention, stringent observation of the patient possibly leading to earlier intervention.


Definition

The term ‘dialysis’ as used herein refers to a procedure required when a subject develops end-stage kidney failure, which corresponds to less than 15% of kidney function. Kidney failure can be acute as in AKI or the result of a slowly worsening kidney function as in CKD. Dialysis relies on the principle of osmosis of solutes and ultrafiltration of fluid across a semi-permeable membrane. The main purpose of dialysis is to remove excess water, solutes and toxins from the blood of a subject, thereby partially replacing the functions of a healthy kidney. Dialysis can be performed at an early time point if AKI is diagnosed within 24 h upon medical intervention.


The phrase ‘avoiding nephrotoxic drugs’ as used herein refers to avoiding substances, which impair renal function if the subject is at risk of AKI or if AKI has been already diagnosed. These substances can be chemicals or medications and encompass analgesics, antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs and contrast media, in particular radiocontrast media for example.


The phrase ‘avoiding anemia’ as used herein refers to avoiding a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.


The phrase ‘administration of kidney-stabilizing drugs’ as used herein refers to the administration of putative drugs which support the physiological function of the kidney if the subject is at risk of AKI or if AKI has been already diagnosed.


The phrase ‘administration of drugs preventing AKI’ as used herein refers to the administration of putative drugs which prevent the onset of AKI if the subject is at risk of AKI.


The phrase ‘drugs alleviating or reversing AKI effects’ as used herein refers to the administration of putative drugs which reduce AKI related symptoms and severity of disease.


The phrase ‘drugs preventing further development of AKI into CKD’ as used herein refers to the administration of putative drugs which prevent the development of AKI into the chronic disease CKD.


The phrase ‘optimization of the strategy of the surgical intervention’ as used herein refers to the use of surgical methods to shorten the overall duration of the surgical intervention, thereby shortening the time during which a patient is relying on a heart-lung-machine. A heart-lung-machine is a mechanical device composed of a pump, an oxygenator and a heat exchanger to take over the heart and lung function during a surgical intervention.


The phrase ‘stringent observation of the patient possibly leading to earlier intervention’ as used herein refers to reducing the surveillance interval if the subject is at risk of AKI.


The definitions and explanations given herein above apply mutatis mutandis to the embodiments described herein below (except stated otherwise).


Change in Therapy (Details)


In an embodiment, the method may include the step of changing the subject's therapy plan, if the method reveals that the subject is suffering from AKI or has a high risk that AKI might occur. It will be understood that a change in therapy plan is at least beneficial for such subject. As discussed above, the method of the present invention already allows identifying subjects at risk of AKI. Accordingly, such subjects may not be unambiguously identifiable based on their clinical symptoms.


In one embodiment the change in therapy plan may include subjecting the subject, suffering from AKI or having a high risk that AKI might occur, to a therapy via peritoneal dialysis, which is preferably carried out with a combination of D-glucose and L-carnitine, further preferred D-glucose about 1.5% (weight/volume) and/or L-carnitine about 0.1% (weight/volume).


Optional changes in therapy plan are described herein above.


Preferably, the reference is derived from a subject or group of subjects known to be in need of a change in therapy plan, or from a subject or group of subjects known to be not in need of a change in therapy plan.


Preferably, the sample to be tested has been obtained after medical intervention. More preferably, the sample has been obtained after medical intervention, in particular, after surgical intervention.


More preferably, the sample has been obtained after surgical intervention, in particular, after solid organ transplantation, cardiac surgery or knee or hip replacement surgery. More preferably, the sample has been obtained after solid organ transplantation, in particular, after lung transplantation, liver transplantation, heart transplantation or kidney transplantation. Even more preferably, the sample has been obtained after lung transplantation, in particular, after lung transplantation in male subjects.


Device for Predicting AKI or Early Diagnosis of AKI


The present invention also relates to a device for predicting occurrence of AKI or for the early diagnosis of AKI in a sample of a subject comprising:

    • an analyzing unit for the said sample of the subject comprising a detection agent for at least one biomarker of this invention, or variants or fragments thereof, said detection agent allowing for the determination of the amount of the said at least one biomarker in the sample, and
    • an evaluation unit comprising a data processing unit and a data base, said data base comprising a stored reference and said data processing unit being capable of carrying out a comparison of the amount of the at least one biomarker determined by the analyzing unit and the stored reference thereby establishing the prediction.


The biomarker may be selected from any group of biomarkers disclosed herein, such as protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers, as well as combinations thereof and fragments and variants thereof.


The biomarker may be selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Basigin, C-C motif, chemokine 7, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Caspase-9, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, CTP synthase 1, CD139, Max dimerization protein 4, Transmembrane protein 54, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein, Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Interleukin-8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1 (SEQ ID No. 1 to 304 as well as CD15 and CD139), and isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


Biomarker CD99R is recognized by antibody MEM-131 which reacts with an epitope which is restricted to a subset of CD99 molecules expressed on myeloid cells, NK cells and T lymphocytes.


The term “device” as used herein relates to a system of means comprising at least the afore-mentioned analyzing unit and the evaluation unit operatively linked to each other as to allow the diagnosis. Preferred detection agents to be used for the device of the present invention are disclosed above in connection with the method of the invention. Preferably, detection agents are antibodies or aptamers. How to link the units of the device in an operating manner will depend on the type of units included into the device. For example, where units for automatically determining the amount of the biomarker are applied, the data obtained by said automatically operating unit can be processed by, e.g., a computer program in order to obtain the desired results. Preferably, the units are comprised by a single device in such a case. The computer unit, preferably, comprises a database including the stored reference(s) as well as a computer-implemented algorithm for carrying out a comparison of the determined amounts for the biomarkers with the stored reference of the database. “Computer-implemented” as used herein refers to a computer-readable program code tangibly included into the computer unit. The results may be given as output of raw data which need interpretation by the clinician. Preferably, the output of the device is, however, processed, i.e. evaluated, raw data the interpretation of which does not require a clinician.


In a preferred device of the invention, the detection agent, preferably, an antibody is immobilized on a solid support in an array format. It will be understood that a device according to the present invention can determine the amount of more than one biomarker simultaneously. To this end, the detection agents may be immobilized on a solid support and arranged in an array format, e.g., in a so called “microarray”.


Kit


The present invention also relates to a kit comprising a detection agent for determining the amount of at least one biomarker of this invention, or variants or fragments thereof, and evaluation instructions for establishing the prediction or early diagnosis of AKI.


The biomarker may be selected from any group of biomarkers disclosed herein, such as protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers, as well as combinations thereof and fragments and variants thereof.


In an embodiment, the biomarker is selected from the group consisting of CD9 antigen, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Basigin, C-C motif, chemokine 7, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Caspase-9, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, CTP synthase 1, CD139, Max dimerization protein 4, Transmembrane protein 54, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein, Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Interleukin-8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha), Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, (SEQ ID No. 1 to 304 as well as CD15, CD139) and isoforms fragments and variants thereof.


The term “kit” as used herein refers to a collection of the aforementioned agent and the instructions provided in a ready-to-use manner for determining the biomarker amount in a sample. The agent and the instructions are, preferably, provided in a single container. Preferably, the kit also comprises further components which are necessary for carrying out the determination of the amount of the biomarker. Such components may be auxiliary agents which are required for the detection of the biomarker or calibration standards. Moreover, the kit may, preferably, comprise agents for the detection of more than one biomarker.


In one embodiment the kit may further comprise a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of beta-casomorphin, alpha calcitonin gene related peptide (alpha CGRP), beta calcitonin gene related peptide (beta CGRP) lampalizumab, recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, ruconest, suramin, a bone morphogenetic protein-7 agonist (e.g. THR-184), an α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analog (e.g. ABT-719), a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetic (e.g. ANG-3777), deferoxamine, and/or any combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the compound may be QPI-1002 (teprasiran, 15NP) and/or ASP1128 (a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta modulator).


In one embodiment, such a kit may be used in a theranostic-concept (i.e. in form of personalized medicine). As such the subject is first analyzed with respect to the biomarkers and then the dosage and treatment concept is adapted accordingly, preferably with one of the before mentioned compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions.


Multiple groups have been described above that the biomarker of the present invention may preferably be selected from. These groups have in particular been described with respect to the method of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that these groups are not only relevant with respect to the methods of the invention but also with respect to the kits, devices, and uses of the present invention.


It is particularly envisaged that the detection agents, preferably, an antibody or fragment thereof, comprised by the aforementioned kits or compositions are immobilized on a solid support in an array format. In particular, the detection agents may be immobilized on a solid support and arranged in an array format, e.g., in a so-called “microarray”. Accordingly, the present invention also envisaged a microarray comprising the aforementioned detection agents.


Preferably, the kit, the composition and the microarray is used for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and diagnosing AKI in a sample of a subject.


All references cited in this specification are herewith incorporated by reference with respect to their entire disclosure content and the disclosure content specifically mentioned in this specification.


Embodiments

The following is a list of embodiments within the scope of the present invention.


The invention includes a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker having a log FC of less than −0.7 and being selected from the group consisting of CD15, CD9 antigen and Myeloblastin, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof, and
    • b. comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker, wherein the reference amount is the amount of the respective biomarker in healthy subjects, such as subjects who are not at risk of developing AKI and/or who are not having AKI.


In a further aspect the invention includes a method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of:

    • a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker having a log FC of less than −0.7 and being selected from the group consisting of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof, and
    • b. comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker,


wherein the reference amount is the amount of the respective biomarker in healthy subjects, such as subjects who are not at risk of developing AKI and/or who are not having AKI. The method includes embodiments, wherein a reduced amount of the at least one biomarker compared to the reference amount indicates that the subject has AKI or is at risk of developing AKI.


The method includes embodiments, comprising the step of predicting whether the subject is at risk of developing AKI and/or has AKI.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of at least CD15 and Dickkopf-related protein 2, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of at least CD9 antigen and Myeloblastin, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of at least Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Interferon alpha-1/13, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of Dickkopf-related protein 2 and Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of at least Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Myeloblastin, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of at least Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of at least Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Interferon alpha-1/13, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, including determining in the sample the amount of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.


The method includes embodiments, wherein the sample is a urine, blood, plasma or serum sample.


The method includes embodiments, wherein the sample is taken prior to a planned medical intervention such as administration of a drug, avoiding administration of a drug, injection of contrast media or a surgical intervention.


The method includes embodiments, wherein one, two, three or more further biomarkers are determined in the sample, wherein further biomarkers are selected from one or more of the protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers, wherein


The method includes embodiments, wherein the fragments, isoforms and/or variants of the biomarkers have at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity with the biomarker over the whole length of the sequence.


The method includes embodiments, wherein determining the amount of said at least one biomarker comprises using an immunoassay device, such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or antibody array, in particular a planar antibody microarray or a bead based antibody microarray.


The invention includes a device for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a subject or for early diagnosis of AKI, comprising

    • an analyzing unit for the said sample of the subject comprising a detection agent for at least one biomarker, or variants or fragments thereof, said detection agent allowing for the determination of the amount of the said at least one biomarker in the sample, and
    • an evaluation unit comprising a data processing unit and a data base, said data base comprising a stored reference and said data processing unit being capable of carrying out a comparison of the amount of the at least one biomarker determined by the analyzing unit and the stored reference thereby establishing the prediction,
    • wherein the biomarker is at least one selected from the group consisting in one embodiment of CD15, CD9 antigen and Myeloblastin in another embodiment of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The invention includes a kit comprising a detection agent for determining the amount of at least one biomarker, and evaluation instructions for establishing the prediction or early diagnosis of AKI, wherein the biomarker is at least one selected from the group consisting of CD15, CD9 antigen and Myeloblastin as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.


The invention includes a kit, wherein the detection agent is selected from the group consisting of antibodies and aptamers.


EXAMPLES

Method


In the studies underlying this invention, plasma samples from subjects before and after LuTx (lung transplantation) were analyzed using antibody microarrays comprising 1130 antibodies against 930 different potential biomarkers. It was assessed whether there are differences between subjects in which AKI was diagnosed using the AKIN classification and subjects in whom AKI was not diagnosed using the AKIN classification. Differences in the marker amounts between subjects that turned out to be statistically significant are those of Table 1 below. These markers may be used as biomarkers for predicting the risk of occurrence of AKI and for early diagnosis of AKI.


In order to identify biomarkers with differential abundance in patients with and without an increased risk of AKI occurrence and between patients with and without AKI a study was performed utilizing complex antibody microarrays. In this study, the protein fraction of the samples was directly labeled by a fluorescent dye. A reference was established by pooling all samples comprised in the study and labeled with a second fluorescent dye. For incubation each sample was mixed with the reference sample and incubated on an antibody microarray in a competitive dual-color approach.


The antibody microarray applied in this study comprised 1130 antibodies that were directed at 900 different proteins. All antibodies were immobilized at least in duplicates. The studies involved a total of 135 samples with or without AKI. The samples were classified as no-AKI (AKIN0) or AKI (AKIN1, 2, 3).


After concentration measurement from the plasma samples by BCA assay, the samples were labeled at an adjusted protein concentration for one hour with scioDye-1 (Sciomics, Germany). Additionally, a common reference was prepared by pooling of samples and subsequent labeling with scioDye-2 (Sciomics, Germany). After one hour, the reaction was stopped by the addition of hydroxylamine. Excess dye was removed 30 min later and the buffer exchanged to PBS. All labeled protein samples were used immediately.


All samples were incubated on scioDiscover antibody arrays (Sciomics, Heidelberg, Germany). The arrays were blocked with scioBlock (Sciomics, Germany) and afterwards the samples were incubated competitively using a dual-colour approach. After incubation for three hours, the slides were thoroughly washed with 1×PBSTT, rinsed with 0.1×PBS as well as with water and subsequently dried with nitrogen.


Slide scanning was done on a Powerscanner (Tecan, Austria) using the identical instrument laser power and PMT. Spot segmentation was performed with GenePix Pro 6.0 (Molecular Devices, Union City, USA). Resulting data were analyzed using the LIMMA package of R-Bioconductor after uploading the mean signal and median background intensities. For normalization, an invariant Lowess normalization was applied. For differential analyses a linear model was fitted with LIMMA resulting in a two-sided t-test or F-test based on moderated statistics. All presented p-values were adjusted for multiple testing by controlling the false discovery rate according to Benjamini and Hochberg. Proteins were defined as differential for |log FC|>0.3 and an adjusted p value <0.05.


Using LIMMA analysis, 92 proteins were identified with differential abundance between AKI and non-AKI samples as differential, as defined above. The results of the aforementioned study are summarized in the following Tables. In the tables the difference of protein abundance in the two sample groups is given by the log fold change (log FC) calculated for the basis 2. The level of significance is indicated by the p-value adjusted for multiple testing as described above.


To assess the quality of the markers a Quality score (QS) was calculated for each marker taking into account log FC values, adjusted p-values as well as stripcharts (graphical representations of the distribution of abundance differences and discrimination power) as follows:

    • QS=QS [log FC]+QS [adjusted p-value]+QS [stripchart]
    • QS [log FC] is defined as “3” for |log FC|>1.0.
    • QS [log FC] is defined as “2” for |log FC|>0.7.
    • QS [log FC] is defined as “1” for |log FC|>0.5.
    • QS [adjusted p-value] is defined as “3” for adjusted p-value <0.0001.
    • QS [adjusted p-value] is defined as “2” for adjusted p-value <0.001.
    • QS [adjusted p-value] is defined as “1” for adjusted p-value <0.01.
    • For QS [stripchart] definition, discrimination power of stripcharts was classified after evaluation by expert scientists within a range of 0.5 to 2.0 as “excellent”=2.0, “very good”=1.0, “good”=0.5.
    • QS [stripchart] is defined as “1” for discrimination power=excellent or very good.
    • A maximum Quality score of 7 can be reached by one marker.
    • A Quality score of >5 is defined as “excellent”,
    • A Quality score of 4 is defined as “very high”,
    • A Quality score of 3 is defined as “high”.


“log FC” is defined as the log fold change calculated for the basis 2 and represents the differences in protein abundance between AKI patients and patients without AKI. In the case of the predictive method, “AKI patient” refers to a subject who developed AKI. A log FC=1 means that AKI patients have on average a 21=2 fold higher signal as compared to patients without AKI. log FC=−1 stands for 2−1=½ of the signal in AKI patients compared to patients without AKI.


“adjusted p-values” are p-values adjusted for multiple testing and indicate the level of significance


“strip charts” are graphical representations of differential abundance distribution as well as discrimination power.


Results


The following tables identify biomarkers identified by the inventors.


The present invention comprises the 92 biomarkers as shown in Table 1. Table 1 comprises both predictive and diagnostic biomarkers.


















TABLE 1






SEQ











ID
Uniprot entry
Pre/
Qual


Uniprot




No.
No.
name
diag
score
logFC
adj.p-Val
accession
Gene name
Protein name
























 1
 1
PGH2_HUMAN
diag
7
−3.49
0.00000080
P35354
PTGS2
Prostaglandin











G/H synthase 2


 2

CD15 (no
pre
6
−0.86
0.00000004
no entry
CD15





protein)









 3
 2
CD99_HUMAN
pre
6
−0.98
0.00000440
P14209
CD99
CD99 antigen



 3
Isoform II of




P14209-2






CD99_HUMAN










 4
Isoform 3 of




P14209-3






CD99_HUMAN









 4
 5
FCERA_HUMAN
pre
6
−1.63
0.00049891
P12319
FCER1A
High affinity im-











munoglobulin ep-











silon receptor











subunit alpha


 5
251-
No entry (Li-
pre
6
−1.60
0.00000083
P01375
TNF and
Ligands of Tumor



252
gands of




and
LTA
necrosis factor




TNR1B_HUMAN




P01374

receptor super-




including






family member




TNFA_HUMAN






1B including Tu-




and TNFB_HU-






mor necrosis fac-




MAN)






tor and Lympho-











toxin-alpha


 6
 6
TNR6_HUMAN
pre
6
−1.32
0.00003060
P25445
FAS
Tumor necrosis











factor receptor











superfamily











member 6



 7
Isoform 2 of




P25445-2






TNR6_Human










 8
Isoform 3 of




P25445-3






TNR6_Human










 9
Isoform 4 of




P25445-4






TNR6_Human










 10
Isoform 5 of




P25445-5






TNR6_Human










 11
Isoform 6 of




P25445-6






TNR6_Human










 12
Isoform 7 of




P25445-7






TNR6_Human









 7
 13
IFNA1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.99
0.03511896
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-










IFNA13
1/13





diag
6
1.09
0.00041027





 8
 14
BASI_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.00
0.00456896
P35613
BSG
Basigin



 15
Isoform 2 of




P35613-2






BASI_Human










 16
Isoform 3 of




P35613-3






BASI_Human










 17
Isoform 4 of




P35613-4






BASI_Human









 9
 18
CCL7_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.82
0.00082227
P80098
CCL7
C-C motif











chemokine 7





diag
3
0.74
0.04367345





10
 19
CD9_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.78
0.00077460
P21926
CD9
CD9 antigen


11
 20
DKK2_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.78
0.00077460
Q9UBU2
DKK2
Dickkopf-related











protein 2


12
 21
HMMR_HUMAN
pre



O75330
HMMR
Hyaluronan











mediated motility











receptor



 22
Isoform 2 of

5
−1.02
0.00743181
O75330-2






HMMR_HUMAN










 23
Isoform 3 of




O75330-3






HMMR_HUMAN










 24
isoform 4 of




O75330-4






HMMR_HUMAN









13
 25
IL18_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.03
0.00709074
Q14116
IL18
Interleukin-18





diag
4
1.00
0.01705270






 26
Isoform 2 of




Q14116-2






IL18_HUMAN









14
 27
IL7_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.98
0.00077460
P13232
IL7
Interleukin-7





diag
4
1.02
0.01917485






 28
Isoform 2 of




P13232-2






IL7_HUMAN










 29
Isoform 3 of




P13232-3






IL7__HUMAN









15
 30
PRIO_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.95
0.00077460
P04156
PRNP
Major prion











protein


16
 31
PTPRC_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.93
0.00021371
P08575
PTPRC
Receptor-type ty-











rosine-protein











phosphatase C



 32
Isoform 2 of




P08575-4






PTPRC_HUMAN










 33
Isoform 3 of




P08575-5






PTPRC_HUMAN










 34
Isoform 4 of




P08575-6






PTPRC_HUMAN










 35
Isoform 5 of




P08575-7






PTPRC_HUMAN










 36
Isoform 6 of




P08575-8






PTPRC_HUMAN










 37
Isoform 7 of




P08575-9






PTPRC_HUMAN










 38
Isoform 8 of




P08575-






PTPRC_HUMAN




10




17
 39
SELPL_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.96
0.00020190
Q14242
SELPLG
P-selectin











glycoprotein











ligand 1



 40
Isoform 2 of




Q14242-2






SELPL_HUMAN









18
 41
TNF14_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.23
0.00896522
O43557
TNFSF14
Tumor necrosis











factor ligand su-











perfamily mem-











ber 14



 42
Isoform 2 of




O43557-2






TNF14_HUMAN









19
 43
TOP2A_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.88
0.00077460
P11388
TOP2A
DNA











topoisomerase 2-











alpha



 44
Isoform 2 of




P11388-2






TOP2A_HUMAN










 45
Isoform 3 of




P11388-3






TOP2A_HUMAN










 46
Isoform 4 of




P11388-4






TOP2A_HUMAN









20
 47
BDNF_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.03
0.03226915
P23560
BDNF
Brain-derived











neurotrophic











factor



 48
Isoform 2 of




P23560-2






BDNF_HUMAN










 49
Isoform 3 of




P23560-3






BDNF_HUMAN










 50
Isoform 4 of




P23560-4






BDNF_HUMAN










 51
Isoform 5 of




P23560-5






BDNF_HUMAN









21
 52
CASP8_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.98
0.00743181
Q14790
CASP8
Caspase-8





diag
2
0.89
0.04367345






 53
Isoform 2 of




Q14790-2






CASP8_HUMAN










 54
Isoform 3 of




Q14790-3






CASP8_HUMAN










 55
Isoform 4 of




Q14790-4






CASP8_HUMAN










 56
isoform 5 of




Q14790-5






CASP8_HUMAN










 57
Isoform 6 of




Q14790-6






CASP8_HUMAN










 58
Isoform 7 of




Q14790-7






CASP8_HUMAN










 59
Isoform 8 of




Q14790-8






CASP8_HUMAN










 60
Isoform 9 of




Q14790-9






CASP8_HUMAN









22
 61
CCL11_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.92
0.00743181
P51671
CCL11
Eotaxin





diag
3
1.15
0.01633199





23
 62
CCL3_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.00
0.03040191
P10147
CCL3
C-C motif











chemokine 3


24
 63
CCL5_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.07
0.00896522
P13501
CCL5
C-C motif











chemokine 5


25
 64
CD14_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.87
0.00975827
P08571
CD14
Monocyte











differentiation











antigen CD14


26
 65
CRLF2_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.08
0.00866136
Q9HC73
CRLF2
Cytokine











receptor-like











factor 2





diag
3
1.01
0.01848700






 66
Isoform 2 of




Q9HC73-2






CRLF2_HUMAN










 67
Isoform 3 of




Q9HC73-3






CRLF2_HUMAN









27
 68
LMNB1_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.78
0.00041269
P20700
LMNB1
Lamin-B1


28
 69
P53_HUMAN
pre
4
0.81
0.00173864
P04637
TP53
Cellular tumor











antigen p53



 70
Isoform 2 of




P04637-2






P53_HUMAN










 71
Isoform 3 of




P04637-3






P53_HUMAN










 72
Isoform 4 of




P04637-4






P53_HUMAN










 73
Isoform 5 of




P04637-5






P53_HUMAN










 74
Isoform 6 of




P04637-6






P53_HUMAN










 75
Isoform 7 of




P04637-7






P53_HUMAN










 76
Isoform 8 of




P04637-8






P53_HUMAN










 77
Isoform 9 of




P04637-9






P53_HUMAN









29
 78
PAK1_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.74
0.00901111
Q13153
PAK1
Serine/threonine-











protein kinase











PAK 1



 79
Isoform 2 of




Q13153-2






PAK1_HUMAN









30
 80
CASP9_HUMAN
diag
4
1.26
0.01917485
P55211
CASP9
Caspase-9



 81
Isoform 2 of




P55211-2






CASP9_HUMAN










 82
Isoform 3 of




P55211-3






CASP9_HUMAN










 83
Isoform 4 of




P55211-4






CASP9_HUMAN









31
 84
BGH3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.79
0.00768649
Q15582
TGFBI
Transforming











growth factor-











beta-induced











protein ig-h3


32
 85
CD47_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.54
0.00118575
Q08722
CD47
Leukocyte











surface antigen











CD47



 86
Isoform OA3-293




Q08722-2






of CD47_HU-











MAN










 87
Isoform OA3-305




Q08722-3






of CD47_HU-











MAN










 88
Isoform OA3-312




Q08722-4






of CD47_HU-











MAN









33
 89
CD8A_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.93
0.02217931
P01732
CD8A
T-cell surface gly-











coprotein CD8 al-











pha chain



 90
Isoform 2 of




P01732-2






CD8A_HUMAN










 91
Isoform 3 of




P01732-3






CD8A_HUMAN









34
 92
DKK3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.77
0.03511896
Q9UBP4
DKK3
Dickkopf-related











protein 3


35
 93
GAS6_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.83
0.01370348
Q14393
GAS6
Growth arrest-











specific protein 6





diag
2
0.79
0.01633199






 94
isoform 2 of




Q14393-1






GAS6_HUMAN










 95
Isoform 3 of




Q14393-3






GAS6_HUMAN










 96
Isoform 4 of




Q14393-4






GAS6_HUMAN










 97
Isoform 5 of




Q14393-5






GAS6_HUMAN









36
 98
IL15_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.94
0.01585528
P40933
IL15
Interleukin-15





diag
3
1.08
0.01242697






 99
Isoform IL15-




P40933-2






S21AA of











IL15_HUMAN









37
100
IL3RB_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.80
0.01834127
P32927
CSF2RB
Cytokine recep-











tor common sub-











unit beta



101
Isoform 2




P32927-2






ofIL3RB_HUMAN









38
102
K2C8_HUMAN
pre
3
0.97
0.03749303
P05787
KRT8
Keratin, type II











cytoskeletal 8



103
Isoform 2 of




P05787-2






K2C8_HUMAN









39
104
LEUK_HUMAN

3
−0.59
0.00095308
P16150
SPN
Leukosialin


40
105
MARK4_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.79
0.00167421
Q96L34
MARK4
MAP/microtu-











bule affinity-reg-











ulating kinase 4



106
Isoform 2 of




Q96L34-2






MARK4_HUMAN









41
107
MELPH_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.76
0.03511896
Q9BV36
MLPH
Melanophilin



108
isoform 2 of




Q9BV36-2






MELPH_HUMAN










109
Isoform 3 of




Q9BV36-3






MELPH_HUMAN










110
Isoform 4 of




Q9BV36-4






MELPH_HUMAN










111
isoform 5 of




Q9BV36-5






MELPH_HUMAN









42
112
MMP1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.59
0.00208582
P03956
MMP1
Interstitial











collagenase





diag
2
0.71
0.01633199





43
113
MMP7_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.96
0.03511896
P09237
MMP7
Matrilysin


44
114
PGH1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.81
0.00801786
P23219
PTGS1
Prostaglandin











G/H synthase 1



115
Isoform 2 of




P23219-2






PGH1_HUMAN










116
Isoform 3 of




P23219-3






PGH1_HUMAN










117
Isoform 4 of




P23219-4






PGH1_HUMAN










118
Isoform 5 of




P23219-5






PGH1_HUMAN










119
Isoform 6 of




P23219-6






PGH1_HUMAN









45
120
PRTN3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.76
0.02563658
P24158
PRTN3
Myeloblastin


46
121
RBM3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.88
0.00173864
P98179
RBM3
RNA-binding











protein 3





diag
3
0.96
0.01754186





47
122
SAMP_HUMAN
pre
3
1.60
0.04927846
P02743
APCS
Serum amyloid P-











component


48
123
TSN16_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.95
0.01860133
Q9UKR8
TSPAN16
Tetraspanin-16



124
Isoform 2 of




Q9UKR8-2






TSN16_HUMAN










125
Isoform 3 of




Q9UKR8-3






TSN16_HUMAN










126
Isoform 4 of




Q9UKR8-4






TSN16_HUMAN









49
127
UROK_HUMAN
pre
3
1.05
0.01289580
P00749
PLAU
Urokinase-type











plasminogen











activator



128
Isoform 2 of




P00749-2






UROK_HUMAN









50
129
PYRG1_HUMAN
diag
3
1.03
0.04367345
P17812
CTPS1
CTP synthase 1



130
Isoform 2 of




P17812-2






PYRG1_HUMAN









51
no ID
CD139
diag
3
−1.22
0.03468974
no entry
CD139



52
131
MAD4_HUMAN
diag
3
1.09
0.01633199
Q14582
MXD4
Max dimerization











protein 4


53
132
TMM54_HUMAN
diag
3
0.80
0.01242697
Q969K7
TMEM54
Transmembrane











protein 54



133
Isoform 2 of




Q969K7-2






TMM54_HUMAN










134
Isoform 3 of




Q969K7-3






TMM54_HUMAN









54
135
ACTB_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.66
0.01989421
P60709
ACTB
Actin,











cytoplasmic 1


55
136
CASP3_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.77
0.01672936
P42574
CASP3
Caspase-3


56
137
DAF_HUMAN
pre
2
0.51
0.02261542
P08174
CD55
Complement











decay-











accelerating











factor



138
Isoform 1 of




P08174-2






DAF_HUMAN










139
Isoform 3 of




P08174-3






DAF_HUMAN










140
Isoform 4 of




P08174-4






DAF_HUMAN










141
Isoform 5 of




P08174-5






DAF_HUMAN










142
Isoform 6 of




P08174-6






DAF_HUMAN










143
Isoform 7 of




P08174-7






DAF_HUMAN









57
144
HMGB2_HUMAN
pre
2
0.72
0.03511896
P26583
HMGB2
High mobility











group protein B2


58
145
HXC11_HUMAN
pre
2
0.91
0.03511896
O43248
HOXC11
Homeobox











protein Hox-C11


59
146
ICAM1_HUMAN
pre
2
0.71
0.02564186
P05362
ICAM1
Intercellular











adhesion











molecule 1


60
147
IL12A_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.71
0.03511896
P29459
IL12A
Interleukin-12











subunit alpha


61
148
KLF8_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.67
0.01886910
O95600
KLF8
Krueppel-like











factor 8





diag
2
−0.93
0.04479542






149
Isoform 2 of




O95600-3






KLF8_HUMAN










150
Isoform 3 of




O95600-4






KLF8_HUMAN










151
Isoform 4 of




O95600-5






KLF8_HUMAN









62
152
LEG4_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.80
0.03511896
P56470
LGALS4
Galectin-4


63
153
LTOR1_HUMAN
pre
2
0.83
0.04600786
Q6IAA8
LAMTOR1
Ragulator











complex protein











LAMTOR1


64
154
LYAM1_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.62
0.03226915
P14151
SELL
L-selectin



155
Isoform 2 of




P14151-2






LYAM1_HUMAN









65
156
MK03_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.77
0.01886910
P27361
MAPK3
Mitogen-











activated protein











kinase 3



157
Isoform 2 of




P27361-2






MK03_HUMAN










158
Isoform 3 of




P27361-3






MK03_HUMAN









66
159
MUC5B_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.80
0.02047452
Q9HC84
MUC5B
Mucin-5B


67
160
NFAC4_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.50
0.01281061
Q14934
NFATC4
Nuclear factor of











activated T-cells



161
Isoform 2 of




Q14934-2






NFAC4_HUMAN










162
Isoform 3 of




Q14934-3






NFAC4_HUMAN










163
Isoform 4 of




Q14934-4






NFAC4_HUMAN










164
Isoform 5 of




Q14934-5






NFAC4_HUMAN










165
Isoform 6 of




Q14934-6






NFAC4_HUMAN










166
Isoform 7 of




Q14934-7






NFAC4_HUMAN










167
Isoform 8 of




Q14934-8






NFAC4_HUMAN










168
Isoform 9 of




Q14934-9






NFAC4_HUMAN










169
Isoform 10 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




10





170
Isoform 11 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




11





171
Isoform 12 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




12





172
Isoform 13 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




13





173
Isoform 14 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




14





174
Isoform 15 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




15





175
Isoform 16 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




16





176
Isoform 17 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




17





177
Isoform 18 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




18





178
Isoform 19 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




19





179
Isoform 20 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




20





180
Isoform 21 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




21





181
isoform 22 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




22





182
Isoform 23 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




23





183
Isoform 24 of




Q14934-






NFAC4_HUMAN




24




68
184
TGFB1_HUMAN
pre
2
0.81
0.02912596
P01137
TGFB1
Transforming











growth factor











beta-1 propro-











tein


69
185
VRK1_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.87
0.04772231
Q99986
VRK1
Serine/threonine-











protein kinase











VRK1


70
186
CDKN3_HUMAN
diag
2
−0.71
0.01978279
Q16667
CDKN3
Cyclin-dependent











kinase inhibitor 3



187
Isoform 2 of




Q16667-2






CDKN3_HUMAN









71
188
TFPI2_HUMAN
diag
2
−0.79
0.03075045
P48307
TFPI2
Tissue factor











pathway inhibitor











2



189
Isoform 2 of




P48307-2






TFPI2_HUMAN









72
190
MLP3B_HUMAN
diag
2
0.99
0.01633199
Q9GZQ8
MAP1LC3B
Microtubule-as-











sociated proteins











1A/1B light chain











3B


73
191
PTEN_HUMAN
diag
2
0.93
0.01633199
P60484
PTEN
Phosphatidylino-











sitol 3,4,5-











trisphosphate 3-











phosphatase and











dual-specificity











protein phospha-











tase PTEN



192
Isoform alpha of




P60484-2






PTEN_HUMAN










193
Isoform 3 of




P60484-3






PTEN_HUMAN









74
194
IL8_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.83
0.03511896
P10145
CXCL8
Interleukin-8


75
195
ARHG2_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.41
0.03565782
Q92974
ARHGEF2
Rho guanine nu-











cleotide ex-











change factor 2



196
Isoform 2 of




Q92974-2






ARHG2_HUMAN










197
Isoform 3 of




Q92974-3






ARHG2_HUMAN









76
198
CFLAR_HUMAN
pre
1
0.52
0.03006471
O15519
CFLAR
CASP8 and FADD-











like apoptosis











regulator



199
Isoform 2 of




O15519-2






CFLAR_HUMAN










200
Isoform 3 of




O15519-3






CFLAR_HUMAN










201
Isoform 4 of




O15519-4






CFLAR_HUMAN










202
Isoform 5 of




O15519-5






CFLAR_HUMAN










203
Isoform 6 of




O15519-6






CFLAR_HUMAN










204
isoform 7 of




O15519-7






CFLAR_HUMAN










205
Isoform 8 of




O15519-8






CFLAR_HUMAN










206
Isoform 9 of




O15519-9






CFLAR_HUMAN










207
Isoform 10 of




O15519-






CFLAR_HUMAN




10





208
Isoform 11 of




O15519-






CFLAR_HUMAN




11





209
Isoform 12 of




O15519-






CFLAR_HUMAN




12





210
isoform 13 of




O15519-






CFLAR_HUMAN




13





211
Isoform 14 of




O15519-






CFLAR_HUMAN




14





212
Isoform 15 of




O15519-






CFLAR_HUMAN




15




77
213
CUED2_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.70
0.01007946
Q9H467
CUEDC2
CUE domain-











containing











protein 2


78
214
DAPK1_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.65
0.02261542
P53355
DAPK1
Death-associated











protein kinase 1



215
Isoform 2 of




P53355-2






DAPK1_HUMAN










216
Isoform 3 of




P53355-3






DAPK1_HUMAN










217
Isoform 4 of




P53355-4






DAPK1_HUMAN









79
218
EDNRA_HUMAN
pre
1
0.58
0.02900873
P25101
EDNRA
Endothelin-1











receptor



219
Isoform 2 of




P25101-2






EDNRA_HUMAN










220
Isoform 3 of




P25101-3






EDNRA_HUMAN










221
Isoform 4 of




P25101-4






EDNRA_HUMAN










222
Isoform 5 of




P25101-5






EDNRA_HUMAN









80
223
EIF3B_HUMAN
pre
1
0.69
0.01829644
P55884
EIF3B
Eukaryotic trans-











lation initiation











factor 3 subunit B



224
Isoform 2 of




P55884-2






EIF3B_HUMAN









81
225
ID2_HUMAN
pre
1
0.32
0.03707986
Q02363
ID2
DNA-binding











protein inhibitor











ID-2


82
226
LMNA_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.63
0.03353007
P02545
LMNA
Prelamin-A/C



227
Isoform C of




P02545-2






LMNA_HUMAN










228
Isoform




P02545-3






ADelta10 of











LMNA_HUMAN










229
Isoform 4 of




P02545-4






LMNA_HUMAN










230
Isoform 5 of




P02545-5






LMNA_HUMAN










231
Isoform 6 of




P02545-6






LMNA_HUMAN









83
232
PYR1_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.65
0.01284425
P27708
CAD
CAD protein


84
233
ZN593_HUMAN
pre
1
0.62
0.01284425
O00488
ZNF593
Zinc finger











protein 593


85
234
MK12_HUMAN
diag
1
0.69
0.04367345
P53778
MAPK12
Mitogen-











activated protein











kinase 12



235
Isoform 2 of




P53778-2






MK12_HUMAN









86
236
CP1B1_HUMAN
diag
1
−0.56
0.01978279
Q16678
CYP1B1
Cytochrome P450











1B1


87
237
ANGT_HUMAN

0
−0.42
0.04109223
P01019
AGT
Angiotensinogen


88
238
APC_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.42
0.02825626
P25054
APC
Adenomatous











polyposis coli











protein



239
Isoform 2 of




P25054-2






APC_HUMAN










240
Isoform 1B of




P25054-3






APC_HUMAN









89
241
PO2F1_HUMAN
pre
0
0.31
0.02825626
P14859
POU2F1
POU domain,











class 2, transcrip-











tion factor 1



242
Isoform 2 of




P14859-2






PO2F1_HUMAN










243
Isoform 3 of




P14859-3






PO2F1_HUMAN










244
Isoform 6 of




P14859-6






PO2F1_HUMAN










245
Isoform 4 of




P14859-4






PO2F1_HUMAN










246
Isoform 5 of




P14859-5






PO2F1_HUMAN









90
247
SSR4_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.40
0.02825626
P31391
SSTR4
Somatostatin











receptor type 4


91
248
TNAP3_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.49
0.03707986
P21580
TNFAIP3
Tumor necrosis











factor alpha-in-











duced protein 3


92
249
TRI22_HUMAN
diag
0
0.44
0.04624814
Q81YM9
TRIM22
E3 ubiquitin-











protein ligase











TRIM22



250
Isoform 2 of




Q8IYM9-2






TRI22_HUMAN









The biomarkers of the present invention were identified by binding to immobilized antibodies, except ligands of the Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B (Marker No. 5 in Table 1, Marker No. 4 in Table 2, Marker No. 5 in Table 6). Here, an immobilized Fc-Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B-fusion protein was used for capturing ligands of this receptor including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha.


“Qual score” indicates a quality score that takes into account log FC-values, adjusted p-values as well as stripcharts (graphical representations of differential abundance distribution as well as discrimination power).


Log FC-values and adjusted p-values are shown in Table 1 as well. Positive log FC-values indicate that the respective biomarker is upregulated in AKI patients as compared to patients without AKI. Negative log FC-values indicate that the respective biomarker is downregulated in AKI patients as compared to patients without AKI.


The Uniprot entry name and the Uniprot accession number are indicated if applicable. Not all biomarkers of the invention are proteins so that not every biomarker has a UniProt entry.


Table 1, Table 5 and Table 6 comprise a combination of predictive and diagnostic biomarkers, Table 4 comprises biomarkers identified as predictive as well as diagnostic. Biomarkers identified in the predictive assay are indicated by “pre”, biomarkers identified in the diagnostic assay are indicated by “diag” within these tables.


Table 2 shows 78 predictive biomarkers of the present invention.

















TABLE 2






SEQ ID
Uniprot entry
Qual


Uniprot
Gene



No.
NO
name
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
name
Protein name























1
no ID
CD15 (no entry,
6
−0.86
0.00000004
no entry
CD15





no protein)








2
2
CD99_HUMAN
6
−0.98
0.00000440
P14209
CD99
CD99 antigen



3
Isoform II of



P14209-2






CD99_HUMAN









4
Isoform 3 of



P14209-3






CD99_HUMAN








3
5
FCERA_HUMAN
6
−1.63
0.00049891
P12319
FCER1A
High affinity immuno-










globulin epsilon










receptor subunit alpha


4
251-
No entry
6
−1.60
0.00000083
P01375
TNF and
Ligands of Tumor



252
(Ligands of



and
LTA
necrosis factor receptor




TNR1B_HUMAN



P01374

superfamily member




including





1B including Tumor




TNFA_HUMAN





necrosis factor and




and TNFB_HUMAN)





Lymphotoxin-alpha


5
6
TNR6_HUMAN
6
−1.32
0.00003060
P25445
FAS
Tumor necrosis factor










receptor superfamily










member 6



7
Isoform 2 of



P25445-2






TNR6_Human









8
Isoform 3 of



P25445-3






TNR6_Human









9
Isoform 4 of



P25445-4






TNR6_Human









10
Isoform 5 of



P25445-5






TNR6_Human









11
Isoform 6 of



P25445-6






TNR6_Human









12
Isoform 7 of



P25445-7






TNR6_Human








6
14
BASI_HUMAN
5
−1.00
0.00456896
P35613
BSG
Basigin



15
Isoform 2 of



P35613-2






BASI_Human









16
Isoform 3 of



P35613-3






BASI_Human









17
Isoform 4 of



P35613-4






BASI_Human








7
18
CCL7_HUMAN
5
−0.82
0.00082227
P80098
CCL7
C—C motif chemokine 7


8
19
CD9_HUMAN
5
−0.78
0.00077460
P21926
CD9
CD9 antigen


9
20
DKK2_HUMAN
5
−0.78
0.00077460
Q9UBU2
DKK2
Dickkopf-related










protein 2


10
21
HMMR_HUMAN



O75330-1
HMMR
Hyaluronan mediated










motility receptor



22
Isoform 2 of
5
−1.02
0.00743181
O75330-2






HMMR_HUMAN









23
Isoform 3 of



O75330-3






HMMR_HUMAN









24
Isoform 4 of



O75330-4






HMMR_HUMAN








11
25
IL18_HUMAN
5
−1.03
0.00709074
Q14116
IL18
Interleukin-18



26
Isoform 2 of










IL18_HUMAN








12
27
IL7_HUMAN
5
−0.98
0.00077460
P13232
IL7
Interleukin-7



28
Isoform 2 of



P13232-2






IL7_HUMAN









29
Isoform 3 of



P13232-3






IL7_HUMAN








13
30
PRIO_HUMAN
5
−0.95
0.00077460
P04156
PRNP
Major prion protein


14
31
PTPRC_HUMAN
5
−0.93
0.00021371
P08575
PTPRC
Receptor-type










tyrosine-protein










phosphatase C



32
Isoform 2 of



P08575-4






PTPRC_HUMAN









33
Isoform 3 of



P08575-5






PTPRC_HUMAN









34
Isoform 4 of



P08575-6






PTPRC_HUMAN









35
Isoform 5 of



P08575-7






PTPRC_HUMAN









36
Isoform 6 of



P08575-8






PTPRC_HUMAN









37
Isoform 7 of



P08575-9






PTPRC_HUMAN









38
Isoform 8 of



P08575-10






PTPRC_HUMAN








15
39
SELPL_HUMAN
5
−0.96
0.00020190
Q14242
SELPLG
P-selectin glycoprotein










ligand 1



40
Isoform 2 of



Q14242-2






SELPL_HUMAN








16
41
TNF14_HUMAN
5
−1.23
0.00896522
O43557
TNFSF14
Tumor necrosis factor










ligand superfamily










member 14



42
Isoform 2 of



O43557-2






TNF14_HUMAN








17
43
TOP2A_HUMAN
5
−0.88
0.00077460
P11388
TOP2A
DNA topoisomerase 2-










alpha



44
Isoform 2 of



P11388-2






TOP2A_HUMAN









45
Isoform 3 of



P11388-3






TOP2A_HUMAN









46
Isoform 4 of



P11388-4






TOP2A_HUMAN








18
47
BDNF_HUMAN
4
−1.03
0.03226915
P23560
BDNF
Brain-derived










neurotrophic factor



48
Isoform 2 of



P23560-2






BDNF_HUMAN









49
Isoform 3 of



P23560-3






BDNF_HUMAN









50
Isoform 4 of



P23560-4






BDNF_HUMAN









51
Isoform 5 of



P23560-5






BDNF_HUMAN








19
52
CASP8_HUMAN
4
−0.98
0.00743181
Q14790
CASP8
Caspase-8



53
Isoform 2 of



Q14790-2






CASP8_HUMAN









54
Isoform 3 of



Q14790-3






CASP8_HUMAN









55
Isoform 4 of



Q14790-4






CASP8_HUMAN









56
Isoform 5 of



Q14790-5






CASP8_HUMAN









57
Isoform 6 of



Q14790-6






CASP8_HUMAN









58
Isoform 7 of



Q14790-7






CASP8_HUMAN









59
Isoform 8 of



Q14790-8






CASP8_HUMAN









60
Isoform 9 of



Q14790-9






CASP8_HUMAN








20
61
CCL11_HUMAN
4
−0.92
0.00743181
P51671
CCL11
Eotaxin


21
62
CCL3_HUMAN
4
−1.00
0.03040191
P10147
CCL3
C-C motif chemokine 3


22
63
CCL5_HUMAN
4
−1.07
0.00896522
P13501
CCL5
C-C motif chemokine 5


23
64
CD14_HUMAN
4
−0.87
0.00975827
P08571
CD14
Monocyte










differentiation antigen










CD14


24
65
CRLF2_HUMAN
4
−1.08
0.00866136
Q9HC73
CRLF2
Cytokine receptor-like










factor 2



66
Isoform 2 of



Q9HC73-2






CRLF2_HUMAN









67
Isoform 3 of



Q9HC73-3






CRLF2_HUMAN








25
68
LMNB1_HUMAN
4
−0.78
0.00041269
P20700
LMNB1
Lamin-B1


26
69
P53_HUMAN
4
0.81
0.00173864
P04637
TP53
Cellular tumor antigen










p53



70
Isoform 2 of



P04637-2






P53_HUMAN









71
Isoform 3 of



P04637-3






P53_HUMAN









72
Isoform 4 of



P04637-4






P53_HUMAN









73
Isoform 5 of



P04637-5






P53_HUMAN









74
Isoform 6 of



P04637-6






P53_HUMAN









75
Isoform 7 of



P04637-7






P53_HUMAN









76
Isoform 8 of



P04637-8






P53_HUMAN









77
soform 9 of



P04637-9






P53_HUMAN








27
78
PAK1_HUMAN
4
−0.74
0.00901111
Q13153
PAK1
Serine/threonine-










protein kinase PAK 1



79
Isoform 2 of



Q13153-2






PAK1_HUMAN








28
84
BGH3_HUMAN
3
−0.79
0.00768649
Q15582
TGFBI
Transforming growth










factor-beta-induced










protein ig-h3


29
85
CD47_HUMAN
3
−0.54
0.00118575
Q08722
CD47
Leukocyte surface










antigen CD47



86
Isoform OA3-293



Q08722-2






of CD47_HUMAN









87
Isoform OA3-305



Q08722-3






of CD47_HUMAN









88
Isoform OA3-312



Q08722-4






of CD47_HUMAN








30
89
CD8A_HUMAN
3
−0.93
0.02217931
P01732
CD8A
T-cell surface glyco-










protein CD8 alpha










chain



90
Isoform 2 of



P01732-2






CD8A_HUMAN









91
Isoform 3 of



P01732-3






CD8A_HUMAN








31
92
DKK3_HUMAN
3
−0.77
0.03511896
Q9UBP4
DKK3
Dickkopf-related










protein 3


32
93
GAS6_HUMAN
3
−0.83
0.01370348
Q14393
GAS6
Growth arrest-specific










protein 6



94
Isoform 2 of



Q14393-1






GAS6_HUMAN









95
Isoform 3 of



Q14393-3






GAS6_HUMAN









96
Isoform 4 of



Q14393-4






GAS6_HUMAN









97
Isoform 5 of



Q14393-5






GAS6_HUMAN








33
13
IFNA1_HUMAN
3
−0.99
0.03511896
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-1/13









IFNA13



34
98
IL15_HUMAN
3
−0.94
0.01585528
P40933
IL15
Interleukin-15



99
Isoform IL15-



P40933-2






S21AA of










IL15_HUMAN








35
100
IL3RB_HUMAN
3
−0.80
0.01834127
P32927
CSF2RB
Cytokine receptor










common subunit beta



101
Isoform 2 of



P32927-2






IL3RB_HUMAN








36
102
K2C8_HUMAN
3
0.97
0.03749303
P05787
KRT8
Keratin, type II










cytoskeletal 8



103
Isoform 2 of



P05787-2






K2C8_HUMAN








37
104
LEUK_HUMAN
3
−0.59
0.00095308
P16150
SPN
Leukosialin


38
105
MARK4_HUMAN
3
−0.79
0.00167421
Q96L34
MARK4
MAP/microtubule










affinity-regulating










kinase 4



106
Isoform 2 of



Q96L34-2






MARK4_HUMAN








39
107
MELPH_HUMAN
3
−0.76
0.03511896
Q9BV36
MLPH
Melanophilin



108
Isoform 2 of



Q9BV36-2






MELPH_HUMAN









109
Isoform 3 of



Q9BV36-3






MELPH_HUMAN









110
Isoform 4 of



Q9BV36-4






MELPH_HUMAN









111
Isoform 5 of



Q9BV36-5






MELPH_HUMAN








40
112
MMP1_HUMAN
3
−0.59
0.00208582
P03956
MMP1
Interstitial collagenase


41
113
MMP7_HUMAN
3
−0.96
0.03511896
P09237
MMP7
Matrilysin


42
114
PGH1_HUMAN
3
−0.81
0.00801786
P23219
PTGS1
Prostaglandin G/H










synthase 1



115
Isoform 2 of



P23219-2






PGH1_HUMAN









116
Isoform 3 of



P23219-3






PGH1_HUMAN









117
Isoform 4 of



P23219-4






PGH1_HUMAN









118
Isoform 5 of



P23219-5






PGH1_HUMAN









119
Isoform 6 of



P23219-6






PGH1_HUMAN








43
120
PRTN3_HUMAN
3
−0.76
0.02563658
P24158
PRTN3
Myeloblastin


44
121
RBM3_HUMAN
3
−0.88
0.00173864
P98179
RBM3
RNA-binding protein 3


45
122
SAMP_HUMAN
3
1.60
0.04927846
P02743
APCS
Serum amyloid P-










component


46
123
TSN16_HUMAN
3
−0.95
0.01860133
Q9UKR8
TSPAN16
Tetraspanin-16



124
Isoform 2 of



Q9UKR8-2






TSN16_HUMAN









125
Isoform 3 of



Q9UKR8-3






TSN16_HUMAN









126
Isoform 4 of



Q9UKR8-4






TSN16_HUMAN








47
127
UROK_HUMAN
3
1.05
0.01289580
P00749
PLAU
Urokinase-type










plasminogen activator



128
Isoform 2 of



P00749-2






UROK_HUMAN








48
135
ACTB_HUMAN
2
−0.66
0.01989421
P60709
ACTB
Actin, cytoplasmic 1


49
136
CASP3_HUMAN
2
−0.77
0.01672936
P42574
CASP3
Caspase-3


50
137
DAF_HUMAN
2
0.51
0.02261542
P08174
CD55
Complement decay-










accelerating factor



138
Isoform 1 of



P08174-2






DAF_HUMAN









139
Isoform 3 of



P08174-3






DAF_HUMAN









140
Isoform 4 of



P08174-4






DAF_HUMAN









141
Isoform 5 of



P08174-5






DAF_HUMAN









142
Isoform 6 of



P08174-6






DAF_HUMAN









143
Isoform 7 of



P08174-7






DAF_HUMAN








51
144
HMGB2_HUMAN
2
0.72
0.03511896
P26583
HMGB2
High mobility group










protein B2


52
145
HXC11_HUMAN
2
0.91
0.03511896
O43248
HOXC11
Homeobox protein










Hox-C11


53
146
ICAM1_HUMAN
2
0.71
0.02564186
P05362
ICAM1
Intercellular adhesion










molecule 1


54
147
IL12A_HUMAN
2
−0.71
0.03511896
P29459
IL12A
Interleukin-12 subunit










alpha


55
194
IL8_HUMAN
2
−0.83
0.03511896
P10145
CXCL8
Interleukin-8


56
148
KLF8_HUMAN
2
−0.67
0.01886910
O95600
KLF8
Krueppel-like factor 8



149
Isoform 2 of



O95600-3






KLF8_HUMAN









150
Isoform 3 of



O95600-4






KLF8_HUMAN









151
Isoform 4 of



O95600-5






KLF8_HUMAN









152
LEG4_HUMAN
2
−0.80
0.03511896
P56470
LGALS4
Galectin-4


58
153
LTOR1_HUMAN
2
0.83
0.04600786
Q6IAA8
LAMTOR1
Ragulator complex










protein LAMTOR1


59
154
LYAM1_HUMAN
2
−0.62
0.03226915
P14151
SELL
L-selectin



155
Isoform 2 of



P14151-2






LYAM1_HUMAN








60
156
MK03_HUMAN
2
−0.77
0.01886910
P27361
MAPK3
Mitogen-activated










protein kinase 3



157
Isoform 2 of



P27361-2






MK03_HUMAN









158
Isoform 3 of



P27361-3






MK03_HUMAN








61
159
MUC5B_HUMAN
2
−0.80
0.02047452
Q9HC84
MUC5B
Mucin-5B


62
160
NFAC4_HUMAN
2
−0.50
0.01281061
Q14934
NFATC4
Nuclear factor of










activated T-cells,










cytoplasmic 4



161
Isoform 2 of



Q14934-2






NFAC4_HUMAN









162
Isoform 3 of



Q14934-3






NFAC4_HUMAN









163
Isoform 4 of



Q14934-4






NFAC4_HUMAN









164
Isoform 5 of



Q14934-5






NFAC4_HUMAN









165
Isoform 6 of



Q14934-6






NFAC4_HUMAN









166
Isoform 7 of



Q14934-7






NFAC4_HUMAN









167
Isoform 8 of



Q14934-8






NFAC4_HUMAN









168
Isoform 9 of



Q14934-9






NFAC4_HUMAN









169
Isoform 10 of



Q14934-10






NFAC4_HUMAN









170
Isoform 11 of



Q14934-11






NFAC4_HUMAN









171
Isoform 12 of



Q14934-12






NFAC4_HUMAN









172
Isoform 13 of



Q14934-13






NFAC4_HUMAN









173
Isoform 14 of



Q14934-14






NFAC4_HUMAN









174
Isoform 15 of



Q14934-15






NFAC4_HUMAN









175
Isoform 16 of



Q14934-16






NFAC4_HUMAN









176
Isoform 17 of



Q14934-17






NFAC4_HUMAN









177
Isoform 18 of



Q14934-18






NFAC4_HUMAN









178
Isoform 19 of



Q14934-19






NFAC4_HUMAN









179
Isoform 20 of



Q14934-20






NFAC4_HUMAN









180
Isoform 21 of



Q14934-21






NFAC4_HUMAN









181
Isoform 22 of



Q14934-22






NFAC4_HUMAN









182
Isoform 23 of



Q14934-23






NFAC4_HUMAN









183
Isoform 24 of



Q14934-24






NFAC4_HUMAN








63
184
TGFB1_HUMAN
2
0.81
0.02912596
P01137
TGFB1
Transforming growth










factor beta-1










proprotein


64
185
VRK1_HUMAN
2
−0.87
0.04772231
Q99986
VRK1
Serine/threonine-










protein kinase VRK1


65
195
ARHG2_HUMAN
1
−0.41
0.03565782
Q92974
ARHGEF2
Rho guanine nucleo-










tide exchange factor



196
Isoform 2 of



Q92974-2






ARHG2_HUMAN









197
Isoform 3 of



Q92974-3






ARHG2_HUMAN








66
198
CFLAR_HUMAN
1
0.52
0.03006471
O15519
CFLAR
CASP8 and FADD-like










apoptosis regulator



199
Isoform 2 of



O15519-2






CFLAR_HUMAN









200
Isoform 3 of



O15519-3






CFLAR_HUMAN









201
Isoform 4 of



O15519-4






CFLAR_HUMAN









202
Isoform 5 of



O15519-5






CFLAR_HUMAN









203
Isoform 6 of



O15519-6






CFLAR_HUMAN









204
Isoform 7 of



O15519-7






CFLAR_HUMAN









205
Isoform 8 of



O15519-8






CFLAR_HUMAN









206
Isoform 9 of



O15519-9






CFLAR_HUMAN









207
Isoform 10 of



O15519-10






CFLAR_HUMAN









208
Isoform 11 of



O15519-11






CFLAR_HUMAN









209
Isoform 12 of



O15519-12






CFLAR_HUMAN









210
Isoform 13 of



O15519-13






CFLAR_HUMAN









211
Isoform 14 of



O15519-14






CFLAR_HUMAN









212
Isoform 15 of



O15519-15






CFLAR_HUMAN








67
213
CUED2_HUMAN
1
−0.70
0.01007946
Q9H467
CUEDC2
CUE domain-










containing protein 2


68
214
DAPK1_HUMAN
1
−0.65
0.02261542
P53355
DAPK1
Death-associated










protein kinase 1



215
Isoform 2 of



P53355-2






DAPK1_HUMAN









216
Isoform 3 of



P53355-3






DAPK1_HUMAN









217
Isoform 4 of



P53355-4






DAPK1_HUMAN








69
218
EDNRA_HUMAN
1
0.58
0.02900873
P25101
EDNRA
Endothelin-1 receptor



219
Isoform 2 of



P25101-2






EDNRA_HUMAN









220
Isoform 3 of



P25101-3






EDNRA_HUMAN









221
Isoform 4 of



P25101-4






EDNRA_HUMAN










Isoform 5 of



P25101-5






EDNRA_HUMAN








70
223
EIF3B_HUMAN
1
0.69
0.01829644
P55884
EIF3B
Eukaryotic translation










initiation factor 3 sub-










unit



224
Isoform 2 of



P55884-2






EIF3B_HUMAN








71
225
ID2_HUMAN
1
0.32
0.03707986
Q02363
ID2
DNA-binding protein










inhibitor ID-2


72
226
LMNA_HUMAN
1
−0.63
0.03353007
P02545
LMNA
Prelamin-A/C



227
Isoform C of



P02545-2






LMNA_HUMAN









228
Isoform



P02545-3






ADelta10 of










LMNA_HUMAN









229
Isoform 4 of



P02545-4






LMNA_HUMAN









230
Isoform 5 of



P02545-5






LMNA_HUMAN









231
Isoform 6 of



P02545-6






LMNA_HUMAN








73
232
PYR1_HUMAN
1
−0.65
0.01284425
P27708
CAD
CAD protein


74
233
ZN593_HUMAN
1
0.62
0.01284425
O00488
ZNF593
Zinc finger protein 593


75
237
ANGT_HUMAN
0
−0.42
0.04109223
P01019
AGT
Angiotensinogen


76
238
APC_HUMAN
0
−0.42
0.02825626
P25054
APC
Adenomatous










polyposis coli protein



239
Isoform 2 of



P25054-2






APC_HUMAN









240
Isoform 1B of



P25054-3






APC_HUMAN








77
241
PO2F1_HUMAN
0
0.31
0.02825626
P14859
POU2F1
POU domain, class 2,










transcription factor 1



242
Isoform 2 of



P14859-2






PO2F1_HUMAN









243
Isoform 3 of



P14859-3






PO2F1_HUMAN









244
Isoform 6 of



P14859-6






PO2F1_HUMAN









245
Isoform 4 of



P14859-4






PO2F1_HUMAN









246
Isoform 5 of



P14859-5






PO2F1_HUMAN








78
247
SSR4_HUMAN
0
−0.40
0.02825626
P31391
SSTR4
Somatostatin receptor










type 4


79
248
TNAP3_HUMAN
0
−0.49
0.03707986
P21580
TNFAIP3
Tumor necrosis factor










alpha-induced protein 3









Table 3 shows 26 diagnostic biomarkers of the present invention.

















TABLE 3






SEQ ID
Uniprot entry
Qual


Uniprot




No.
No.
name
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
Gene name
Protein name























1
1
PGH2_HUMAN
7
−3.49
0.00000080
P35354
PTGS2
Prostaglandin G/H










synthase 2


2
13
IFNA1_HUMAN
6
1.09
0.00041027
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-









IFNA13
1/13


3
80
CASP9_HUMAN
4
1.26
0.01917485
P55211
CASP9
Caspase-9



81
Isoform 2 of



P55211-2






CASP9_HUMAN









82
Isoform 3 of



P55211-3






CASP9_HUMAN









83
Isoform 4 of



P55211-4






CASP9_HUMAN








4
25
IL18_HUMAN
4
1.00
0.01705270
Q14116
IL18
Interleukin-18



26
Isoform 2 of



Q14116-2






IL18_HUMAN








5
27
IL7_HUMAN
4
1.02
0.01917485
P13232
IL7
Interleukin-7



28
Isoform 2 of



P13232-2






IL7_HUMAN









29
Isoform 3 of



P13232-3






IL7_HUMAN








6
129
PYRG1_HUMAN
3
1.03
0.04367345
P17812
CTPS1
CTP synthase 1



130
Isoform 2 of



P17812-2






PYRG1_HUMAN








7
18
CCL7_HUMAN
3
0.74
0.04367345
P80098
CCL7
C—C motif










chemokine 7


8
no ID
CD139 (no entry,
3
−1.22
0.03468974
no entry






no protein)








9
61
CCL11_HUMAN
3
1.15
0.01633199
P51671
CCL11
Eotaxin


10
65
CRLF2_HUMAN
3
1.01
0.01848700
Q9HC73
CRLF2
Cytokine receptor-










like factor 2



66
Isoform 2 of



Q9HC73-2






CRLF2_HUMAN









67
Isoform 3 of



Q9HC73-3






CRLF2_HUMAN








11
131
MAD4_HUMAN
3
1.09
0.01633199
Q14582
MXD4
Max dimerization










protein 4


12
98
IL15_HUMAN
3
1.08
0.01242697
P40933
IL15
Interleukin-15



99
Isoform IL15-



P40933-2






S21AA of










IL15_HUMAN








13
121
RBM3_HUMAN
3
0.96
0.01754186
P98179
RBM3
RNA-binding










protein 3


14
132
TMM54_HUMAN
3
0.80
0.01242697
Q969K7
TMEM54
Transmembrane










protein 54



133
Isoform 2 of



Q969K7-2






TMM54_HUMAN









134
Isoform 3 of



Q969K7-3






TMM54_HUMAN








15
148
KLF8_HUMAN
2
−0.93
0.04479542
O95600
KLF8
Krueppel-like factor










8



149
Isoform 2 of



O95600-3






KLF8_HUMAN









150
Isoform 3 of



O95600-4






KLF8__HUMAN









151
Isoform 4 of



O95600-5






KLF8_HUMAN








16
112
MMP1_HUMAN
2
0.71
0.01633199
P03956
MMP1
Interstitial










collagenase


17
186
CDKN3_HUMAN
2
−0.71
0.01978279
Q16667
CDKN3
Cyclin-dependent










kinase inhibitor 3



187
Isoform 2 of



Q16667-2






CDKN3_HUMAN








18
188
TFPI2_HUMAN
2
−0.79
0.03075045
P48307
TFPI2
Tissue factor










pathway inhibitor 2



189
Isoform 2 of



P48307-2






TFP12_HUMAN








19
93
GAS6_HUMAN
2
0.79
0.01633199
Q14393
GAS6
Growth arrest-










specific protein 6



94
Isoform 2 of



Q14393-1






GAS6_HUMAN









95
Isoform 3 of



Q14393-3






GAS6_HUMAN









96
Isoform 4 of



Q14393-4






GAS6_HUMAN









97
Isoform 5 of



Q14393-5






GAS6_HUMAN








20
190
MLP3B_HUMAN
2
0.99
0.01633199
Q9GZQ8
MAP1LC3B
Microtubule-associ-










ated proteins 1A/1B










light chain 3B


21
52
CASP8_HUMAN
2
0.89
0.04367345
Q14790
CASP8
Caspase-8



53
Isoform 2 of



Q14790-2






CASP8_HUMAN









54
Isoform 3 of



Q14790-3






CASP8_HUMAN









55
Isoform 4 of



Q14790-4






CASP8_HUMAN









56
Isoform 5 of



Q14790-5






CASP8_HUMAN









57
Isoform 6 of



Q14790-6






CASP8_HUMAN









58
Isoform 7 of



Q14790-7






CASP8_HUMAN









59
Isoform 8 of



Q14790-8






CASP8_HUMAN









60
Isoform 9 of



Q14790-9






CASP8_HUMAN








22
191
PTEN_HUMAN
2
0.93
0.01633199
P60484
PTEN
Phosphatidylinositol










3,4,5-trisphosphate










3-phosphatase and










dual-specificity pro-










tein phosphatase










PTEN



192
Isoform alpha of



P60484-2






PTEN_HUMAN









193
Isoform 3 of



P60484-3






PTEN_HUMAN








23
234
MK12_HUMAN
1
0.69
0.04367345
P53778
MAPK12
Mitogen-activated










protein kinase 12



235
Isoform 2 of



P53778-2






MK12_HUMAN








24
236
CP1B1_HUMAN
1
−0.56
0.01978279
Q16678
CYP1B1
Cytochrome P450










1B1


25
249
TRI22_HUMAN
0
0.44
0.04624814
Q8IYM9
TRIM22
E3 ubiquitin-protein










ligase TRIM22



250
Isoform 2 of



Q8IYM9-2






TRI22_HUMAN















12 biomarkers have been found to be both predictive and diagnostic biomarkers. 12 biomarkers being both predictive and diagnostic are shown in Table 4.


















TABLE 4






SEQ ID
Uniprot entry
Pre/
Qual


Uniprot
Gene



No.
No.
name
diag
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
name
Protein name
























1
52
CASP8_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.98
0.00743181
Q14790
CASP8
Caspase-8





diag
2
0.89
0.04367345
Q14790





53
Isoform 2 of




Q14790-2






CASP8_HUMAN










54
Isoform 3 of




Q14790-3






CASP8_HUMAN










55
Isoform 4 of




Q14790-4






CASP8_HUMAN










56
Isoform 5 of




Q14790-5






CASP8_HUMAN










57
Isoform 6 of




Q14790-6






CASP8_HUMAN










58
Isoform 7 of




Q14790-7






CASP8_HUMAN










59
Isoform 8 of




Q14790-8






CASP8_HUMAN










60
Isoform 9 of




Q14790-9






CASP8_HUMAN









2
61
CCL11_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.92
0.00743181
P51671
CCL11
Eotaxin





diag
3
1.15
0.01633199
P51671




3
18
CCL7_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.82
0.00082227
P80098
CCL7
C—C motif











chemokine 7





diag
3
0.74
0.04367345
P80098




4
65
CRLF2_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.08
0.00866136
Q9HC73
CRLF2
Cytokine











receptor-like











factor 2





diag
3
1.01
0.01848700
Q9HC73





66
Isoform 2 of




Q9HC73-2






CRLF2_HUMAN










67
Isoform 3 of




Q9HC73-3






CRLF2_HUMAN









5
93
GAS6_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.83
0.01370348
Q14393
GAS6
Growth arrest-











specific protein 6





diag
2
0.79
0.01633199
Q14393





94
Isoform 2 of




Q14393-1






GAS6_HUMAN










95
Isoform 3 of




Q14393-3






GAS6_HUMAN










96
Isoform 4 of




Q14393-4






GAS6_HUMAN










97
Isoform 5 of




Q14393-5






GAS6_HUMAN









6
13
IFNA1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.99
0.03511896
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-










IFNA13
1/13





diag
6
1.09
0.00041027
P01562




7
98
IL15_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.94
0.01585528
P40933
IL15
Interleukin-15





diag
3
1.08
0.01242697
P40933





99
Isoform IL15-




P40933-2






S21AA of











IL15_HUMAN









8
25
IL18_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.03
0.00709074
Q14116
IL18
Interleukin-18





diag
4
1.00
0.01705270
Q14116





26
Isoform 2 of




Q14116-2






IL18_HUMAN









9
27
IL7_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.98
0.00077460
P13232
IL7






diag
4
1.02
0.01917485
P13232

Interleukin-7



28
Isoform 2 of




P13232-2






IL7_HUMAN










29
Isoform 3 of




P13232-3






IL7_HUMAN









10
148
KLF8_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.67
0.01886910
O95600
KLF8
Krueppel-like











factor 8





diag
2
−0.93
0.04479542
O95600





149
Isoform 2 of




O95600-3






KLF8_HUMAN










150
Isoform 3 of




O95600-4






KLF8_HUMAN










151
Isoform 4 of




O95600-5






KLF8_HUMAN









11
112
MMP1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.59
0.00208582
P03956
MMP1
Interstitial











collagenase





diag
2
0.71
0.01633199
P03956




12
121
RBM3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.88
0.00173864
P98179
RBM3
RNA-binding











protein 3





diag
3
0.96
0.01754186
P98179









35 biomarkers showing higher abundance in AKI patients are shown in Table 5.


















TABLE 5






SEQ
Uniprot entry
Pre/
Qual


Uniprot




No.
ID No.
name
diag
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
Gene name
Protein name
























1
 13
IFNA1_HUMAN
diag
6
1.09
0.00041027
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon










IFNA13
alpha-1/13


2
69-77
P53_HUMAN
pre
4
0.81
0.00173864
P04637
TP53
Cellular tumor











antigen p53


3
80-83
CASP9_HUMAN
diag
4
1.26
0.01917485
P55211
CASP9
Caspase-9


4
27-29
IL7_HUMAN
diag
4
1.02
0.01917485
P13232
IL7
Interleukin-7


5
25-26
IL18__HUMAN
diag
4
1.00
0.01705270
Q14116
IL18
Interleukin-18


6
122
SAMP_HUMAN
pre
3
1.60
0.04927846
P02743
APCS
Serum amyloid











P-component


7
127-128
UROK_HUMAN
pre
3
1.05
0.01289580
P00749
PLAU
Urokinase-type











plasminogen











activator


8
102-103
K2C8_HUMAN
pre
3
0.97
0.03749303
P05787
KRT8
Keratin, type II











cytoskeletal 8


9
 61
CCL11_HUMAN
diag
3
1.15
0.01633199
P51671
CCL11
Eotaxin


10
131
MAD4_HUMAN
diag
3
1.09
0.01633199
Q14582
MXD4
Max











dimerization











protein 4


11
98-99
IL15_HUMAN
diag
3
1.08
0.01242697
P40933
IL15
Interleukin-15


12
129-130
PYRG1_HUMAN
diag
3
1.03
0.04367345
P17812
CTPS1
CTP synthase 1


13
65-67
CRLF2_HUMAN
diag
3
1.01
0.01848700
Q9HC73
CRLF2
Cytokine











receptor-like











factor 2


14
121
RBM3_HUMAN
diag
3
0.96
0.01754186
P98179
RBM3
RNA-binding











protein 3


15
132-134
TMM54_HUMAN
diag
3
0.80
0.01242697
Q969K7
TMEM54
Transmembrane











protein 54


16
 18
CCL7_HUMAN
diag
3
0.74
0.04367345
P80098
CCL7
C—C motif











chemokine 7


17
145
HXC11_HUMAN
pre
2
0.91
0.03511896
O43248
HOXC11
Homeobox











protein Hox-C11


18
153
LTOR1_HUMAN
pre
2
0.83
0.04600786
Q6IAA8
LAMTOR1
Ragulator











complex protein











LAMTOR1


19
184
TGFB1_HUMAN
pre
2
0.81
0.02912596
P01137
TGFB1
Transforming











growth factor











beta-1 propro-











tein


20
144
HMGB2_HUMAN
pre
2
0.72
0.03511896
P26583
HMGB2
High mobility











group protein B2


21
146
ICAM1_HUMAN
pre
2
0.71
0.02564186
P05362
ICAM1
Intercellular











adhesion











molecule 1


22
137-143
DAF_HUMAN
pre
2
0.51
0.02261542
P08174
CD55
Complement











decay-











accelerating











factor


23
190
MLP3B_HUMAN
diag
2
0.99
0.01633199
Q9GZQ8
MAP1LC3B
Microtubule-











associated pro-











teins 1A/1B light











chain 3B


24
191-193
PTEN_HUMAN
diag
2
0.93
0.01633199
P60484
PTEN
Phosphatidylino-











sitol 3,4,5-











trisphosphate 3-











phosphatase











and dual-speci-











ficity protein











phosphatase











PTEN


25
52-60
CASP8_HUMAN
diag
2
0.89
0.04367345
Q14790
CASP8
Caspase-8


26
93-97
GAS6_HUMAN
diag
2
0.79
0.01633199
Q14393
GAS6
Growth arrest-











specific protein











6


27
112
MMP1_HUMAN
diag
2
0.71
0.01633199
P03956
MMP1
Interstitial











collagenase


28
223-224
EIF3B_HUMAN
pre
1
0.69
0.01829644
P55884
EIF3B
Eukaryotic trans-











lation initiation











factor 3 subunit











B


29
233
ZN593_HUMAN
pre
1
0.62
0.01284425
O00488
ZNF593
Zinc finger











protein 593


30
218-222
EDNRA_HUMAN
pre
1
0.58
0.02900873
P25101
EDNRA
Endothelin-1











receptor


31
198-212
CFLAR_HUMAN
pre
1
0.52
0.03006471
O15519
CFLAR
CASP8 and











FADD-like apop-











tosis regulator


32
225
ID2_HUMAN
pre
1
0.32
0.03707986
Q02363
ID2
DNA-binding











protein inhibitor











ID-2


33
234-235
MK12_HUMAN
diag
1
0.69
0.04367345
P53778
MAPK12
Mitogen-











activated











protein kinase











12


34
241-246
PO2F1_HUMAN
pre
0
0.31
0.02825626
P14859
POU2F1
POU domain,











class 2, tran-











scription factor 1


35
249-250
TRI22_HUMAN
diag
0
0.44
0.04624814
Q8IYM9
TRIM22
E3 ubiquitin-











protein ligase











TRIM22









68 biomarkers showing lower abundance in AKI patients are shown in Table 6.


















TABLE 6






SEQ
Uniprot entry
Pre/
Qual


Uniprot
Gene



No.
ID No.
name
diag
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
name
Protein name
























1
 1
PGH2_HUMAN
diag
7
−3.49
0.00000080
P35354
PTGS2
Prostaglandin G/H











synthase 2


2
no ID
CD15 (no entry,
pre
6
−0.86
0.00000004
no entry
CD15
CD15




no protein)









3
2-4
CD99_HUMAN
pre
6
−0.98
0.00000440
P14209
CD99
CD99 antigen


4
 6-12
TNR6_HUMAN
pre
6
−1.32
0.00003060
P25445
FAS
Tumor necrosis











factor receptor











superfamily











member 6


5
251-
No entry (Lig-
pre
6
−1.60
0.00000083


Ligands of TNR1B



252
ands of






including TNF-




TNR1B_HUMAN






alpha and lympho-




including






toxin-alpha




TNFA_HUMAN











and TNFB HU-











MAN)









6
 5
FCERA_HUMAN
pre
6
−1.63
0.00049891
P12319
FCER1A
High affinity











immunoglobulin











epsilon receptor











subunit alpha


7
 19
CD9_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.78
0.00077460
P21926
CD9
CD9 antigen


8
 20
DKK2_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.78
0.00077460
Q9UBU2
DKK2
Dickkopf-related











protein 2


9
 18
CCL7_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.82
0.00082227
P80098
CCL7
C—C motif











chemokine 7


10
43-46
TOP2A_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.88
0.00077460
P11388
TOP2A
DNA











topoisomerase 2-











alpha


11
31-38
PTPRC_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.93
0.00021371
P08575
PTPRC
Receptor-type











tyrosine-protein











phosphatase C


12
 30
PRIO_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.95
0.00077460
P04156
PRNP
Major prion











protein


13
39-40
SELPL_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.96
0.00020190
Q14242
SELPLG
P-selectin











glycoprotein











ligand 1


14
27-29
IL7_HUMAN
pre
5
−0.98
0.00077460
P13232
IL7
Interleukin-7


15
14-17
BASI_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.00
0.00456896
P35613
BSG
Basigin


16
21-24
HMMR_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.02
0.00743181
O75330
HMMR
Hyaluronan











mediated motility











receptor


17
25-26
IL18_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.03
0.00709074
Q14116
IL18
Interleukin-18


18
41-42
TNF14_HUMAN
pre
5
−1.23
0.00896522
O43557
TNFSF14
Tumor necrosis











factor ligand











superfamily











member 14


19
78-79
PAK1_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.74
0.00901111
Q13153
PAK1
Serine/threonine-











protein kinase











PAK 1


20
 68
LMNB1_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.78
0.00041269
P20700
LMNB1
Lamin-B1


21
 64
CD14_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.87
0.00975827
P08571
CD14
Monocyte











differentiation











antigen CD14


22
 61
CCL11_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.92
0.00743181
P51671
CCL11
Eotaxin


23
52-60
CASP8_HUMAN
pre
4
−0.98
0.00743181
Q14790
CASP8
Caspase-8


24
 62
CCL3_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.00
0.03040191
P10147
CCL3
C—C motif











chemokine 3


25
47-51
BDNF_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.03
0.03226915
P23560
BDNF
Brain-derived











neurotrophic











factor


26
 63
CCL5_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.07
0.00896522
P13501
CCL5
C—C motif











chemokine 5


27
65-67
CRLF2_HUMAN
pre
4
−1.08
0.00866136
Q9HC73
CRLF2
Cytokine











receptor-like











factor 2


28
85-88
CD47_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.54
0.00118575
Q08722
CD47
Leukocyte surface











antigen CD47


29
104
LEUK_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.59
0.00095308
P16150
SPN
Leukosialin


30
112
MMP1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.59
0.00208582
P03956
MMP1
Interstitial











collagenase


31
107-
MELPH_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.76
0.03511896
Q9BV36
MLPH
Melanophilin



111










32
120
PRTN3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.76
0.02563658
P24158
PRTN3
Myeloblastin


33
 92
DKK3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.77
0.03511896
Q9UBP4
DKK3
Dickkopf-related











protein 3


34
105-
MARK4_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.79
0.00167421
Q96L34
MARK4
MAP/microtubule



106







affinity-regulating











kinase 4


35
 84
BGH3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.79
0.00768649
Q15582
TGFBI
Transforming










BIGH3
growth factor-











beta-induced











protein ig-h3


36
100-
IL3RB_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.80
0.01834127
P32927
CSF2RB
Cytokine receptor



101







common subunit











beta


37
114-
PGH1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.81
0.00801786
P23219
PTGS1
Prostaglandin G/H



119







synthase 1


38
93-97
GAS6_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.83
0.01370348
Q14393
GAS6
Growth arrest-











specific protein 6


39
121
RBM3_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.88
0.00173864
P98179
RBM3
RNA-binding











protein 3


40
89-91
CD8A_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.93
0.02217931
P01732
CD8A
T-cell surface











glycoprotein CD8











alpha chain


41
 98
IL15_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.94
0.01585528
P40933
IL15
Interleukin-15


42
123-
TSN16_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.95
0.01860133
Q9UKR8
TSPAN16
Tetraspanin-16



126










43
113
MMP7_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.96
0.03511896
P09237
MMP7
Matrilysin


44
 13
IFNA1_HUMAN
pre
3
−0.99
0.03511896
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-










IFNA13
1/13


45
no ID
CD139 (no entry,
diag
3
−1.22
0.03468974
no entry
CD139
CD139




no protein)









46
160-
NFAC4_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.50
0.01281061
Q14934
NFATC4
Nuclear factor of



183







activated T-cells


47
154-
LYAM1_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.62
0.03226915
P14151
SELL
L-selectin



155










48
135
ACTB_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.66
0.01989421
P60709
ACTB
Actin, cytoplasmic 1


49
148-
KLF8_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.67
0.01886910
O95600
KLF8
Krueppel-like



151







factor 8





diag
2
−0.93
0.04479542





50
147
IL12A_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.71
0.03511896
P29459
IL12A
Interleukin-12











subunit alpha


51
194
IL8_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.83
0.03511896
P10145
CXCL8
Interleukin-8


52
156-
MK03_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.77
0.01886910
P27361
MAPK3
Mitogen-activated



158







protein kinase 3


53
136
CASP3_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.77
0.01672936
P42574
CASP3
Caspase-3


54
152
LEG4_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.80
0.03511896
P56470
LGALS4
Galectin-4


55
159
MUC5B_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.80
0.02047452
Q9HC84
MUC5B
Mucin-5B


56
185
VRK1_HUMAN
pre
2
−0.87
0.04772231
Q99986
VRK1
Serine/threonine-











protein kinase











VRK1


57
186
CDKN3_HUMAN
diag
2
−0.71
0.01978279
Q16667
CDKN3
Cyclin-dependent











kinase inhibitor 3


58
188-
TFP12_HUMAN
diag
2
−0.79
0.03075045
P48307
TFP12
Tissue factor



189







pathway inhibitor











2


59
195-
ARHG2_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.41
0.03565782
Q92974
ARHGEF2
Rho guanine



197







nucleotide exchange











factor 2


60
226-
LMNA_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.63
0.03353007
P02545
LMNA
Prelamin-A/C



231










61
232
PYR1_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.65
0.01284425
P27708
CAD
CAD protein


62
214
DAPK1_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.65
0.02261542
P53355
DAPK1
Death-associated



217







protein kinase 1


63
213
CUED2_HUMAN
pre
1
−0.70
0.01007946
Q9H467
CUEDC2
CUE domain-











containing protein 2


64
236
CP1B1_HUMAN
diag
1
−0.56
0.01978279
Q16678
CYP1B1
Cytochrome P450











1B1


65
247
SSR4_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.40
0.02825626
P31391
SSTR4
Somatostatin











receptor type 4


66
237
ANGT_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.42
0.04109223
P01019
AGT
Angiotensinogen


67
238-
APC_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.42
0.02825626
P25054
APC
Adenomatous



240







polyposis coli











protein


68
248
TNAP3_HUMAN
pre
0
−0.49
0.03707986
P21580
TNFAIP3
Tumor necrosis











factor alpha-











induced protein 3









In further studies, another larger sample cohort comprising 597 samples (230 prior surgery; 368 after surgery) with or without AKI were analyzed by a new antibody microarray release. Sample preparation, incubation and raw data acquisition was performed as described in the Methods section above. For differential analyses a linear model was fitted with LIMMA via robust M-estimation, resulting in a two-sided t-test or F-test based on moderated statistics. Proteins were defined as differential for log FC|>0.25 and an adjusted p value <0.001.


Biomarkers, which were significantly downregulated or upregulated, are depicted in table 7.

















TABLE 7






SEQ
Uniprot entry
Qual


Uniprot
Gene



No.
ID No.
name
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
name
Protein name























1

NFAC4_HUMAN
6
−0.99
7.10E−05
Q14934
NFATC4
Nuclear factor of activated










T-cells


2
13
IFNA1_HUMAN
5
−0.83
4.20E−04
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-1/13









IFNA13



3

CD99_HUMAN
3
−0.52
3.40E−03
P14209
CD99
CD99 antigen


4
No
CD99R_HUMAN
1
−0.31
5.90E−02


CD99R antigen or CD99 anti-



sequence






gen restricted



available











CD99R_HUMAN
3
−0.69
1.20E−03







(male only)








5

CUED2_HUMAN
3
−0.68
6.40E−03
Q9H467
CUEDC2
CUE domain-containing










protein 2


6

PGH2_HUMAN
7
−1.65
3.30E−08
P35354
PTGS2
Prostaglandin G/H synthase










2


7

LEG4_HUMAN
1
0.20
1.50E−01
P56470
LGALS4
Galectin-4




LEG4_HUMAN
5
0.68
7.00E−06







(male only)








8

PRIO_HUMAN
4
0.45
3.50E−10
P04156
PRNP
Major prion protein




PRIO_HUMAN
4
0.51
1.10E−04
Q14934
NFATC4
Nuclear factor of activated




(female only)





T-cells









During the large-scale studies, also a number of additional biomarkers was identified, which were significantly higher or lower abundant in patients with AKI. Such markers are depicted in table 8.

















TABLE 8






SEQ










ID

Qual


Uniprot
Gene



No.
No.
Uniprot entry name
score
logFC
adj. p-Val
accession
name/Isoform
Protein name























1
253
CFAD_HUMAN
6
0.81
9.10E−10
P00746
CFD
Complement










factor D



254
CFAD_HUMAN




CFAD_HUMAN










aa26-253 chain




255
K7ERG9_HUMAN



K7ERG9
potential Isoform










of CFAD_HUMAN



2
256
NTF4_HUMAN
5
−0.58
3.40E−05
P34130
NTF4
Neurotrophin-4



257
NTF4_HUMAN



P34130
NTF4_HUMAN










aa81-210 chain




258
M0R0X2_HUMAN



M0R0X2
potential isoform










of NTF4_HUMAN



3
259
IBP1_HUMAN
7
1.33
7.20E−31
P08833
IGFBP1
Insulin-like










growth factor-










binding protein 1



260
IBP1_HUMAN



P08833
IBP1_HUMAN










aa26-259 chain




261
C9J6H2_HUMAN



C9J6H2
potential isoform










of IBP1_HUMAN




262
C9JXF9_HUMAN



C9JXF9
potential isoform










of IBP1_HUMAN



4
263
CYTB_HUMAN
5
0.56
8.90E−23
P04080
CSTB
Cystatin-B



264
A0A1W2PQG6_HUMAN



A0A1W2PQG6
potential isoform










of CYTB_HUMAN




265
A0A1W2PS52_HUMAN



A0A1W2PS52
potential isoform










of CYTB_HUMAN



5
266
I18BP_HUMAN
4
−0.38
7.20E−06
O95998
IL18BP
Interleukin-18-










binding protein



267
I18BP_HUMAN



O95998
I18BP_HUMAN










aa31-194 chain




268
I18BP_HUMAN Isoform



O95998-3
Isoform B





B









269
I18BP_HUMAN Isoform



O95998-4
Isoform D





D









270
G3V1C5_HUMAN



G3V1C5
potential isoform










of G3V1C5_HUMAN



6
271
WFDC2_HUMAN
5
0.53
6.0E−17
Q14508
WFDC2
WAP four-disul-










fide core domain










protein 2



272
WFDC2_HUMAN



Q14508
WFDC2_HUMAN










aa31-124 chain




273
WFDC2_HUMAN



Q14508-2
Isoform 2





Isoform 2









274
WFDC2_HUMAN



Q14508-3
Isoform 3





Isoform 3









275
WFDC2_HUMAN



Q14508-4
Isoform 4





Isoform 4









276
WFDC2_HUMAN



Q14508-5
Isoform 5





Isoform 5








7
277
HPT_HUMAN
6
−2.23
6.20E−15
P00738
HP
Haptoglobin



278
HPT_HUMAN



P00738
HPT_HUMAN










aa19-406




279
HPT_HUMAN



P00738
HPT_HUMAN










aa19-160 alpha










chain




280
HPT_HUMAN



P00738
HPT_HUMAN










aa162-406 beta










chain




281
HPT_HUMAN Isoform 2



P00738-2
Isoform 2



8
282
UTER_HUMAN
5
0.87
5.60E−17
P11684
SCGB1A1
Uteroglobin



283
UTER_HUMAN



P11684
UTER_HUMAN










aa22-91 chain




284
E9PN95_HUMAN



E9PN95
potential isoform










of UTER_HUMAN



9
285
CH3L1_HUMAN
5
0.91
4.70E−12
P36222
CHI3L1
Chitinase-3-like










protein 1



286
CH3L1_HUMAN



P36222
CH3L1_HUMAN










aa 22-383 chain




287
H0Y3U8_HUMAN



H0Y3U8
potential isoform










of CH3L1_HUMAN



10
288
ELAF_HUMAN
4
0.58
5.30E−17
P19957
PI3
Elafin



289
ELAF_HUMAN



P19957
ELAF_HUMAN










aa 23-60 propeptide




290
ELAF_HUMAN



P19957
ELAF_HUMAN










aa61-117 chain



11
291
COMP_HUMAN
4
0.56
3.00E−15
P49747
COMP
Cartilage










oligomeric matrix










protein



292
COMP_HUMAN



P49747
COMP_HUMAN










aa21-757 chain




293
COMP_HUMAN



P49747-2
Isoform 2





Isoform 2









294
G3XAP6_HUMAN



G3XAP6
potential isoform










of COMP_HUMAN



12
295
IL16_HUMAN
3
−0.33
1.50E−06
Q14005
IL16
Pro-interleukin-16



296
IL16_HUMAN



Q14005
IL16_HUMAN










aa1212-1332










interleukin-16




297
IL16_HUMAN Isoform 2



Q14005-2
Isoform 2




298
IL16_HUMAN Isoform 3



Q14005-3
Isoform 3




299
IL16_HUMAN Isoform 4



Q14005-4
Isoform 4



13
300
ITIH1_HUMAN
3
−0.31
4.00E−06
P19827
ITIH1
Inter-alpha-tryp-










sin inhibitor heavy










chain H1



301
ITIH1_HUMAN



P19827
ITIH1_HUMAN










aa35-672 Inter-










alpha-trypsin inhibi-










tor heavy chain










H1




302
ITIH1_HUMAN



P19827
ITIH1_HUMAN










aa673-911










propeptide




303
ITIH1_HUMAN Isoform



P19827-2
Isoform 2





2









304
ITIH1_HUMAN Isoform



P19827-3
Isoform 3





3















In some cases, the change of the log FC from predictive status to diagnostic status (i.e. delta log FC) indicates meaningful biomarkers of special interest. Such biomarkers are depicted in table 9.















TABLE 9





Uniprot entry


Delta logFC
Uniprot




name
logFC pre
logFC diag
(diag-pre)
accession
Gene name
Protein name





















NFAC4_HUMAN
−0.99
0.39
1.38
Q14934
NFATC4
Nuclear factor of








activated T-cells


IFNA1_HUMAN
−0.83
−0.32
0.51
P01562
IFNA1;
Interferon alpha-1/13







IFNA13



CD99_HUMAN
−0.52
0.01
0.53
P14209
CD99
CD99 antigen


CD99R
−0.31
0.44
0.75
P14209
CD99
CD99R antigen


CD99R (male
−0.69
0.38
1.07





only)








CUED2_HUMAN
−0.68
0.27
0.95
Q9H467
CUEDC2
CUE domain-








containing protein 2


PGH2_HUMAN
−0.42
−1.65
−1.23
P35354
PTGS2
Prostaglandin G/H








synthase 2


LEG4_HUMAN
−0.03
0.20
0.23
P56470
LGALS4
Galectin-4


LEG4_HUMAN
−0.43
0.68
1.11





(male only)








PRIO_HUMAN
−0.05
0.45
0.5
P04156
PRNP
Major prion protein


PRIO_HUMAN
0.27
0.51
0.24





(female only)








CFAD_HUMAN
−0.01
0.81
0.82
P00746
CFD
Complement factor D


NTF4_HUMAN
−0.58
−0.01
0.57
P34130
NTF4
Neurotrophin-4


IBP1_HUMAN
0.02
1.33
1.31
P08833
IGFBP1
Insulin-like growth








factor-binding protein 1


CYTB_HUMAN
−0.04
0.56
0.6
P04080
CSTB
Cystatin-B


I18BP_HUMAN
−0.38
−0.48
−0.1
O95998
IL18BP
Interleukin-18-binding








protein


WFDC2 HUMAN
0.04
0.53
0.49
Q14508
WFDC2
WAP four-disulfide








core domain protein 2


HPT_HUMAN
−0.78
−2.23
−1.45
P00738
HP
Haptoglobin


UTER_HUMAN
−0.42
0.87
1.29
P11684
SCGB1A1
Uteroglobin


CH3L1 HUMAN
−0.01
0.91
0.92
P36222
CHI3L1
Chitinase-3-like protein 1


ELAF_HUMAN
0.11
0.58
0.47
P19957
PI3
Elafin


COMP_HUMAN
0.1
0.56
0.46
P49747
COMP
Cartilage oligomeric








matrix protein


IL16_HUMAN
−0.33
−0.06
0.27
Q14005
IL16
Pro-interleukin-16


ITIH1_HUMAN
−0.31
−0.14
0.17
P19827
ITIH1
Inter-alpha-trypsin








inhibitor heavy chain H1









Clinical Example

AKI is a major complication in critically ill patients and after major surgeries. Particularly in cardiac surgery, patients are usually older and often have pre-existing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Both are risk factors for renal insufficiency. These patients are particularly at risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) with a frequency up to 40%. In many cases, the deterioration of kidney function is recognized with a delay.


A concrete example of everyday clinical practice is a 72-year-old female patient suffering from mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency with long-term hypertension as the underlying disease. Before surgery the patient had a reduced renal function of 45% and the operation had to be performed with the use of a heart-lung machine and the administration of blood products is required. After surgery the patient had a volume surplus through the intravascular fluid administration of about 5 L meaning an increase of creatinine as a common clinical parameter was not recognized and thus made an early diagnosis of AKI extremely difficult. By analyzing patient's plasma before surgery using a predictive test e.g. an immuno-based Point-of-care device containing a biomarker combination of 5-10 markers, the risk profile could be determined in advance and alternative procedures for valve replacement can be discussed to prevent AKI development. Furthermore, it could be considered in the case of blood product administration whether short-term stored red cell concentrates are indicated showing low amount of free heme as a kidney damaging hemoglobin degradation product. After surgery it took 7 days of dehydration to re-assess creatinine as a renal parameter and diagnose AKI in this patient. Using a diagnostic biomarker combination shortly after surgery in a time window of 6 to 24 hours post OP the onset and severity of AKI could be detected at an early stage and medication adjusted to the renal situation. One could consider kidney stabilizing drugs and/or avoid or adjust dosages of nephrotoxic substances like antibiotics thereby improving patients outcome and preventing secondary conditions like chronic kidney disease.


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Claims
  • 1. A method for predicting the risk of occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) or for early diagnosis of AKI in a subject, comprising the steps of: a. determining in a sample obtained from the subject the amount of at least one biomarker being selected from the group consisting of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof,b. comparing the amount of said at least one biomarker with a reference amount for said at least one biomarker, wherein the reference amount is the amount of the respective biomarker in healthy subjects, such as subjects who are not at risk of developing AKI and/or who do not have AKI, andc. changing a therapy plan prior and/or during and/or after surgery of the subject when a risk of AKI is predicted or when an early diagnosis of AKI is made.
  • 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a reduced amount of the at least one biomarker compared to the reference amount indicates that the subject has AKI or is at risk of developing AKI.
  • 3. (canceled)
  • 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Nuclear factor of activated T-cells is Nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 4, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.
  • 5. The method according to claim 1, including determining in the sample the amount of at least Interferon alpha-1/13 and Myeloblastin, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.
  • 6. The method according to claim 1, including determining in the sample the amount of at least Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Interferon alpha-1/13, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.
  • 7. The method according to claim 1, including determining in the sample the amount of Nuclear factor of activated T-cells and Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, or isoforms, fragments or variants thereof.
  • 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is a urine, blood, plasma or serum sample.
  • 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is taken prior to a planned medical intervention such as administration of a drug, avoiding administration of a drug, injection of contrast media or a surgical intervention.
  • 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein one, two, three or more further biomarkers are determined in the sample, wherein the further biomarkers are selected from one or more of the protein biomarkers, male patient biomarkers, predictive biomarkers, diagnostic biomarkers, or combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers, wherein the protein biomarkers are CD9 antigen, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Basigin, C-C motif, chemokine 7, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Caspase-9, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin, type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, CTP synthase 1, CD139, Max dimerization protein 4, Transmembrane protein 54, Actin, cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein, Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Interleukin-8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit B, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Complement factor D, Neurotrophin-4, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, Interleukin-18-binding protein, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin, Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1 (SEQ ID No. 1 to 304, CD15, CD139) as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof,the male patient biomarkers are CD15, ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Lamin-B1, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Krueppel-like factor 8, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, and Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof,the predictive biomarkers are CD15, CD99 antigen, CD99R antigen, High affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor subunit alpha, Ligands of Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1B including Tumor necrosis factor and Lymphotoxin-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6, Basigin, C-C motif chemokine 7, CD9 antigen, Dickkopf-related protein 2, Hyaluronan mediated motility receptor, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Major prion protein, Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14, DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 3, C-C motif chemokine 5, Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14, Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Lamin-B1, Cellular tumor antigen p53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase PAK 1, Transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3, Leukocyte surface antigen CD47, T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, Dickkopf-related protein 3, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Interleukin-15, Cytokine receptor common subunit beta, Keratin type II cytoskeletal 8, Leukosialin, MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4, Melanophilin, Interstitial collagenase, Matrilysin, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1, Myeloblastin, RNA-binding protein 3, Serum amyloid P-component, Tetraspanin-16, Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, Actin cytoplasmic 1, Caspase-3, Complement decay-accelerating factor, High mobility group protein B2, Homeobox protein Hox-C11, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, Interleukin-12 subunit alpha, Interleukin-8, Krueppel-like factor 8, Galectin-4, Ragulator complex protein, LAMTOR1, L-selectin, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, Mucin-5B, Nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 4, Transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein, Serine/threonine-protein kinase VRK1, Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor, CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, CUE domain-containing protein 2, Death-associated protein kinase 1, Endothelin-1 receptor, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit, DNA-binding protein inhibitor ID-2, Prelamin-A/C, CAD protein, Zinc finger protein 593, Angiotensinogen, Adenomatous polyposis coli protein, POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 1, Somatostatin receptor type 4, Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, Neurotrophin-4, Interleukin-18-binding protein, Interleukin-16 and Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H1, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof;the diagnostic biomarkers are Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2, Interferon alpha-1/13, Caspase-9, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, CTP synthase 1, C-C motif chemokine 7, CD139, Eotaxin, Max dimerization protein 4, Interleukin-15, RNA-binding protein 3, Transmembrane protein 54, Krueppel-like factor 8, Interstitial collagenase, Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B, Caspase-8, Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and dual-specificity protein phosphatase PTEN, Mitogen-activated protein kinase 12, Cytochrome P450 1B1, and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM22, Complement factor D, Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, Cystatin-B, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, Haptoglobin, Uteroglobin, Chitinase-3-like protein 1, Elafin and Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof,the combined predictive and diagnostic biomarkers are Cytokine receptor-like factor 2, Caspase-8, Eotaxin, C-C motif chemokine 7, Growth arrest-specific protein 6, Interferon alpha-1/13, Interleukin-15, Interleukin-18, Interleukin-7, Krueppel-like factor 8, Interstitial collagenase, and RNA-binding protein 3 as well as isoforms, fragments and variants thereof.
  • 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fragments, isoforms and/or variants of the biomarkers have at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity with the biomarker over the whole length of the sequence.
  • 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the amount of said at least one biomarker comprises using an immunoassay device, such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or antibody array, in particular a planar antibody microarray or a bead based antibody microarray.
  • 13-15. (canceled)
  • 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changed therapy plan prior and/or during and/or after surgery is selected from the group consisting of applying renal dialysis, AKI risk factor management, avoiding nephrotoxic drugs and measures, administration of kidney-stabilizing drugs and measures, administration of drugs and measures preventing AKI, drugs alleviating or reversing AKI effects or drugs and measures preventing further development of AKI into CKD, avoiding anemia, avoiding hypovolemia, avoiding renal hypoperfusion, cardiac output monitoring, avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion, avoiding nephrotoxic drugs such as antibiotics, etc., avoid radiocontrast agents, before and after surgery optimization of the strategy of the surgical intervention, and stringent observation of the patient possibly leading to earlier intervention, as well as any combination thereof.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
20168527.8 Apr 2020 EP regional
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/EP2021/059115 4/7/2021 WO