Uromodulin

Information

Uromodulin is a protein produced exclusively by the tubule cells of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidneys and is released into both the tubule lumen and the bloodstream. Uromodulin is polymerized in the distal tubule lumen, where it has a protective effect against kidney stone formation, among other things. Due to its polymer structure, uromodulin released via the urine is only suitable to a limited extent for the exact measurement of protein concentration. Unlike in urine, uromodulin in serum occurs exclusively as a monomer and can therefore be quantified more reliably.

Furthermore, urinary uromodulin concentration shows only a weak association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The serum uromodulin concentration (sUmod), however, correlates strongly with eGFR.