Surreal illustration of healthy kidney amidst test tubes for kidney transplant monitoring.

Kidney Health Alert: Can Urine Tests Predict Transplant Success?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how monitoring specific molecules in urine could offer an early warning system for kidney transplant complications, potentially transforming patient care."

Kidney transplants offer a new lease on life for individuals with end-stage renal disease. However, the journey doesn't end with the surgery. Monitoring the health of the transplanted kidney is crucial for long-term success. Currently, doctors rely on regular blood tests and occasional biopsies to assess kidney function and detect potential problems.

But what if there was a less invasive, more frequent way to keep tabs on the transplanted kidney? Researchers are exploring the potential of urine tests to provide valuable insights into kidney health. A recent study presented at the Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation conference investigated whether measuring specific molecules in the urine could serve as early warning signs of kidney complications.

The study focused on two particular molecules, CCL2 and CXCL10, known as chemokines. These molecules are involved in the body's immune response and can indicate inflammation and injury within the kidney. By analyzing the levels of these chemokines in urine, researchers hoped to identify patients at higher risk of transplant failure and enable earlier intervention.

Unlocking the Secrets in Urine: How Chemokines Could Revolutionize Kidney Transplant Monitoring

Surreal illustration of healthy kidney amidst test tubes for kidney transplant monitoring.

The study, led by researchers from the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, enrolled 40 patients who had undergone kidney transplants. Within a year after their transplant, each patient had a protocol biopsy performed. The levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 were measured in urine samples and compared against creatinine levels to standardize the results.

The patient group was then divided into two categories based on their biopsy results: a research group with diagnoses indicating potential complications (BKV nephropathy, IFTA II-III, peritubular capillaritisis, C4d, or rejection) and a control group with normal biopsy results. The researchers then compared the levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 between these groups to see if any significant differences emerged.

CCL2 (also known as MCP-1): A chemokine that attracts monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes to sites of inflammation. Elevated levels may indicate ongoing immune activity within the kidney.
CXCL10 (also known as IP-10): A chemokine produced by various cells in response to interferon-gamma. It plays a role in T cell recruitment and activation, and increased levels may reflect inflammation and tissue damage.
Creatinine: A waste product produced by muscle metabolism and filtered by the kidneys. Measuring creatinine levels in urine helps adjust for variations in urine concentration, providing a more accurate assessment of chemokine excretion.

The results revealed a significant difference in CCL2 levels between the two groups. The median urinary CCL2-to-creatinine ratio was significantly higher in the research group compared to the control group (21.76 vs 8.99 ng/mmol, p=0.003). This suggests that elevated CCL2 levels in urine may be associated with kidney transplant complications. While there was a trend towards higher CXCL10 levels in the research group, the difference was not statistically significant.

The Future of Kidney Transplant Care: Personalized Monitoring Through Urine Analysis

This study provides promising evidence that urine CCL2 levels could serve as a valuable, non-invasive marker for monitoring kidney transplant health. By identifying patients with elevated CCL2 levels, doctors may be able to intervene earlier with personalized treatment strategies to prevent transplant failure. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential of combining CCL2 measurements with other biomarkers for even more accurate risk assessment. The future of kidney transplant care may involve routine urine analysis to personalize monitoring and improve long-term outcomes for recipients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is the significance of measuring CCL2 and CXCL10 in urine after a kidney transplant?

Measuring CCL2 and CXCL10 in urine can provide early insights into the health of a transplanted kidney. These molecules, known as chemokines, are involved in the body's immune response and can indicate inflammation and injury. Elevated levels of CCL2 and CXCL10 in urine may signal potential complications like transplant rejection or other issues, allowing for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. The study highlighted that the CCL2 levels were significantly different between the groups, suggesting its potential as a valuable marker.

How do CCL2 and CXCL10 relate to kidney health and transplant success?

CCL2 and CXCL10, both chemokines, play crucial roles in the immune response within the kidney. CCL2 attracts immune cells like monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes to sites of inflammation. High levels suggest active immune responses that could be detrimental to the transplanted kidney. CXCL10, produced in response to interferon-gamma, is involved in T cell recruitment and activation, indicating inflammation and potential tissue damage. Monitoring these molecules in urine helps doctors assess the kidney's health, as higher levels can indicate complications and potential transplant failure.

Why is creatinine used in urine tests for kidney transplant patients?

Creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism, is used in urine tests to standardize measurements of CCL2 and CXCL10. Measuring creatinine levels alongside the chemokines helps adjust for variations in urine concentration. This standardization ensures a more accurate assessment of chemokine excretion, accounting for differences in hydration or urine production among patients. By using the CCL2-to-creatinine ratio, researchers and doctors can obtain a more precise understanding of the levels of CCL2, offering a clearer picture of the kidney's health, irrespective of urine dilution.

What were the key findings of the study regarding CCL2 and CXCL10 in urine?

The study found that the median urinary CCL2-to-creatinine ratio was significantly higher in the research group, which had kidney complications, compared to the control group. This suggests that elevated CCL2 levels in urine may be associated with kidney transplant complications. While there was a trend towards higher CXCL10 levels in the research group, the difference was not statistically significant. The main conclusion is that CCL2 could be a valuable, non-invasive marker for monitoring kidney transplant health, helping identify patients at higher risk for complications.

How could urine tests, specifically measuring CCL2, transform the care of kidney transplant patients?

Urine tests, particularly those measuring CCL2 levels, have the potential to revolutionize kidney transplant care by offering a non-invasive and early warning system for complications. By identifying patients with elevated CCL2 levels, doctors can intervene earlier with personalized treatment strategies to prevent transplant failure. This approach allows for proactive management, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes and improved quality of life for transplant recipients. Routine urine analysis could provide a more frequent and less invasive method for monitoring kidney health compared to traditional methods like blood tests and biopsies.