Serum JKAP reflects Th2 and Th17 cell levels, and diabetic nephropathy risk and severity in diabetes mellitus patients.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the potency of serum JKAP for estimating diabetic nephropathy risk in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Methods: Serum JKAP was detected in 212 DM patients. According to urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, DM patients were divided into normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups. Results: JKAP declined in the macroalbuminuria group versus normoalbuminuria group (p < 0.001). In DM patients, JKAP inversely correlated with Th17 cells (p < 0.001) but positively related to Th2 cells (p = 0.003). After adjustment, JKAP independently estimated lower risks of albuminuria (microalbuminuria + macroalbuminuria; odds ratio = 0.966, p < 0.001) and macroalbuminuria (odds ratio = 0.948; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Serum JKAP reflects increased Th2 cells, decreased Th17 cells, and lower diabetic nephropathy risk and severity in DM patients.