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Objective: Proteinuria is the hallmark of diabetic nephropathy; yet, glomerular histology does not fully explain mechanisms contributing to proteinuria. Our objective was to identify proteins in the urine of individuals with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria that might implicate a mechanistic pathway operative in proteinuria., Research Design and Methods: Using a GeLC/MS platform proteomics approach, we compared the urine proteome from 12 healthy nondiabetic individuals, 12 subjects with type 1 diabetes yet normal urinary albumin excretion rates, and 12 subjects with type 1 diabetes and microalbuminuria (type 1 diabetes + microalbuminuria)., Results: The abundance of megalin and cubilin, two multiligand receptors expressed in kidney proximal tubule cells and involved with the reuptake of filtered albumin and megalin/cubilin ligands, was significantly increased in type 1 diabetes + microalbuminuria urine, compared with both nonalbuminuric groups., Conclusions: Aberrant shedding of megalin and cubilin could contribute to albuminuria in diabetes and to deficiency states of important vitamins and hormones.

Objective: Dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 may contribute pathologically to the development of diabetes complications, including diabetic retinopathy and coronary and peripheral arterial disease. Our objective was to explore whether systemic MMP-2 dysregulation could be demonstrated in type 1 diabetes and to determine how MMP-2 concentration relates to disease status., Research Design and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, MMP-2 concentrations and MMP-2 activity were measured in plasma and timed urine samples from 93 type 1 diabetic and 50 healthy control subjects, aged 14-40 years. Relationships between MMP-2 concentrations in these biological fluids and subject characteristics (sex, age, and duration of type 1 diabetes), indexes of glycemic control (A1C, fasting plasma glucose, and continuous glucose monitoring system average daily glucose), and measurements of renal function (urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate) were examined., Results: Urine and plasma MMP-2 concentrations and plasma MMP-2 activity were all significantly elevated in type 1 diabetic subjects compared with those in control subjects. Urine MMP-2 concentrations, in particular, were correlated with several clinical parameters that infer increased risk for diabetic comorbidity and specifically for diabetic nephropathy, including higher A1C, longer duration of disease, evidence of renal hyperfiltration, and the presence of microalbuminuria., Conclusions: Urine and plasma MMP-2 concentrations are dysregulated in type 1 diabetes; urinary excretion of MMP-2, in particular, might provide a unique biomarker of diabetes-induced intrarenal pathologic processes.