Immundiagnostik, Inc. offers the ReFiNE® DKK3 ELISA to help support your lab’s kidney research. Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3), a member of the evolutionarily conserved Dickkopf protein family, plays a role in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. DKK3 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases and is recognized as a key driver of tubulointerstitial injury and fibrosis. It is secreted by ‘stressed’ tubular epithelial cells in the kidney and can be quantified in urine. Recent findings suggest that urinary DKK3 may serve as a potential biomarker for monitoring kidney disease progression and evaluating the effects of interventions1-4.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often means that significant damage can occur before noticeable symptoms arise. This highlights the critical need for tools that can identify individuals at risk of progressive kidney injury early in the disease course. Emerging research is shedding light on the potential of urinary Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) as a marker of kidney injury and kidney disease.
In a study1 involving a non-CKD cohort of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), elevated baseline urinary DKK3 levels, but not traditional markers like proteinuria or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), were found to significantly predict a future decline in kidney function. Notably, this association held true even in individuals with seemingly normal kidney function (eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m²) and low levels of protein in urine. This suggests that urinary DKK3 may offer a more sensitive indicator of early kidney stress and potential progression, even before conventional markers raise concerns in kidney disease identification.
Another study3 found that Urinary DKK3 may also play a role in guiding kidney disease treatment decisions. The benefits of intensified blood pressure control on kidney outcomes appeared to be most pronounced in those with higher urinary DKK3 levels. This suggests that measuring DKK3 could potentially help identify individuals who are more likely to respond to specific nephroprotective interventions.
Furthermore, the same study3 observed that treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, a common strategy in managing kidney disease, was associated with significantly lower urinary DKK3 concentrations. This indicates that monitoring DKK3 levels could potentially provide insights into the effectiveness of certain therapies for managing kidney injury and slowing CKD progression.
These studies have highlighted several important benefits of measuring urinary DKK3 in the context of kidney health. These benefits include:
The ReFiNE® DKK3 ELISA is intended for the quantitative determination of dickkopf-related protein 3 in human urine samples.
If the samples are not assayed immediately, the supernatant of the centrifuged urine samples must be stored at 2 – 8 °C and assayed within 3 days. For repeated measurements, it is recommended to aliquot the samples and to store them at -20 °C.
Repeated freezing and thawing of samples is possible up to 5 times.
The supernatant of the urine samples must be diluted 1:10 before performing the assay.
Sample Type: Urine
Sample Volume: 100 μL
Incubation Time: 1 hr 15 min
Time-to-result: < 2.5
Standard Range: 16.751-4000 pg/mL
Automatable: Yes
The ReFiNE® DKK3 ELISA is for Research Use Only in North America. Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures. For Laboratory Professional Use Only.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
