• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 1980

Gentamicin is useful to the Gram negative bacterial infection, but its nephrotoxicity is a serious problem and the incidence is probably increasing. The toxicity of gentamicin to the kidney is site-specific to the proximal tubule. In this study, we measured daily peak and trough level of gentamicin, serum creatinine, serum $Beta_2$-microglobulin and 24-hr urine $Beta_2$-microglobulin in 10 gentamicin treated patients. All the patients had their peak levels of gentamicin in the safe therapeutic range, and their trough level showed no evidence of gentamicin accumulation. There was no patient who showed his daily serum creatinine and $Beta_2$-microglobulin rise significantly. But 24-hour urine $Beta_2$-microglobulin showed significant rise from basal level (mean $5.8{\pm}1.62{\times}$) on the 5 th day of gentamicin treatment. Thus, serial monitoring of proximal tubular function with urinary $Beta_2$-microglobulin excretion has potential value in the assessment of insults of gentamicin to this site. But clinical significance of raised urinary $Beta_2$-microglobulin excretion in relation to the serum creatinine should be further studied.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 1997

Purpose : Vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in childhood may be the primary cause of recurrent urinary tract infection and renal scarring. Renal ultrasonography, DMSA, and voiding cystourethrogram are the standard clinical methods for detection of vesicoureteral reflux. But these methods have many disadvantages such as invasiveness and high cost. So, we studied to observe the significance of urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin in association with other non-radiologic methods for predictng vesicoureteral reflux. Methods : We evaluated 40 patients with urinary tract infection who were admitted to Korea university Hospital from July 1993 to June 1994. Among them, 24 patients revealed urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux(group A), 16 patients revealed only urinary tract infection(group B). Both groups were compared by presence of fever, hematuria, and proteinuria, positivity of CRP, and level of BUN, Cr, GFR by 99mTc-DTPA, urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin, 24 hours urine albumin. Results : 1) Among 24 patients who had vesicoureteral reflux, 14 had unilateral VUR, 10 had bilateral VUR, three kidneys with grade I, nine with grade II, eleven with grade III, eleven with grade IV by classification of International Reflux Study Committee. Among them, 14 patients had renal scar, five with type A, five with type B, four with type C, none with type D by Smellie's classification. 2) The mean of GFR, BUN, Cr, 24hrs urine albumin and the presence of hematuria and proteinuria showed no significant difference between group A and group B. The mean of urine ${\beta}_2$ microglobulin in group A and group B were $283.6{\pm}195.8{\mu}g/l$ and $78.7{\pm}48.5{\mu}g/l$ respectively, showing that group A had a higher value than group B (p<0.01). In case of ${\beta}_2$ microglobulin > $120{\mu}g/l$ and CRP(+), the sensitivity was 93.3% and the specificity is 77.8% for detecting of VUR. In case of ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin>$120{\mu}g/l$ and fever(+), the sensitivity was 92.2%, and the specificity was 62.5% for detecting of VUR Conclusions : If the level of urinary ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin is more than 120ug/l in children with urinary tract infection in association with fever(+) or CRP(+), it can predict VUR. So we can use it for early detection of VUR.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.9
• /
• pp.960-965
• /
• 2009

${\beta}2$-Microglobulin (${\beta}2m$) is known to be a major factor for dialysis-related amyloidosis. We have studied ${\beta}2m$ removal through an aggregation process, which was initiated by a ligand that could catch the ${\beta}2m$ monomer and promote its aggregation into fibril. As a ligand, we have prepared ${\beta}2m$ fibril fragments and used them as a seed. The seed was coupled to PEGylated-PS beads to remove the monomeric ${\beta}2m$ from solution. The ${\beta}2m$ seed-conjugated resin effectively adsorbed the ${\beta}2m$ monomers with a capacity of 3.6 mg/ml via promoting their aggregation into fibrils on the resin at pH 7.4.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 1985

To evaluate the significance of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ in patients with various liver diseases, serum $\beta_2m$ levels were measured in 44 cases of normal controls, 32 cases of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 134 patients with various liver diseases, by radioimmunoassay using Phadebas $Beta_2-micro$ test kits. The following results were obtained: 1) The mean level of serum $\beta_2m$ was $1.39{\pm}0.25mg/l(Mean{\pm}S.D.)$ in normal controls ($1.39{\pm}0.23mg/l$ in 24 males, $1.38{\pm}0.27mg/l$ in 20 females). 2) The serum levels of $\beta_2m$ in patients with various liver diseases and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were as follows; $1.40{\pm}0.27mg/l$ in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, $2.42{\pm}0.37mg/l$ in 45 patients with acute viral hepatitis, $2.10{\pm}0.26mg/l$ in 46 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, $2.60{\pm}0.34mg/l$ in 23 patients with chronic active hepatitis, and $2.60{\pm}0.49mg/l$ in 20 patients with liver cirrhosis. Serum $\beta_2m$ levels of each disease group were significantly higher than that of normal controls(p<0.001). 3) There was significant correlation between the levels of serum $\beta_2m$ and the degrees of lymphocytic infiltration in patients with chronic active hepatitis(p<0.001). 4) Significant correlations were observed between the levels of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ and serum alanine aminotransferase(r=0.68, p<0.05) and bilirubin(r=0.63, p<0.05) in 15 patients with acute viral hepatitis. In conclusion, the serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ levels were increased in patients with various liver diseases, and it may serve as a new index of liver disease activity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.58 no.5
• /
• pp.487-490
• /
• 2015

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is a relapsing-remitting disorder for which steroid administration is a key to control the progression. CLIPPERS can exhibit radiological features similar to malignant lymphoma, whose diagnosis is confounded by prior steroid administration. We report a case of CLIPPERS accompanied by abnormal elevation of ${\beta}-2$ microglobulin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A 62-year-old man started to experience numbness in all fingers of his left hand one year ago, which gradually extended to his body trunk and legs on both sides. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated numerous small enhancing spots scattered in his brain and spinal cord. CSF levels of ${\beta}-2$ microglobulin were elevated; although this often indicates central nervous system involvement in leukemia and lymphoma, the lesions were diagnosed as CLIPPERS based on the pathological findings from a biopsy specimen. We emphasize the importance of biopsy to differentiate between CLIPPERS and malignant lymphoma because the temporary radiological response to steroid might be the same in both diseases but the treatment strategies regarding the use of steroid are quite different.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.369-375
• /
• 2007

Purpose : There have been numerous researches on urine ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin (${\beta}_2$-M) concerned with primary nephrotic syndrome and other glomerular diseases, but not much has been done in relation to pediatric age groups. Thus, our hospital decided to study the relations between the analysis of the test results we have conducted on pediatric patients and renal functions. Methods : Retrospective data analysis was done to 102 patients of ages 0 to 4 with renal diseases with symptoms such as hematuria, edema, and proteinuria who were admitted to Chung-Ang Yongsan Hospital and who participated in 24-hour urine and urine ${\beta}_2$-M excretion test between January of 2003 and January of 2006. Each disease was differentiated as independent variables, and the statistical difference of the results of urine ${\beta}_2$-M excretion of several groups of renal diseases was analyzed with student T-test by using test results as dependent variables. Results : Levels of urine ${\beta}_2$-M excretion of the 102 patients were as follows : 52 had primary nephrotic syndrome [MCNS (n=45, $72{\pm}45{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, ${\mu}g/g-Cr$), MPGN (n=3, $154{\pm}415{\mu}g/g-Cr$), FSGS (n=4, $188{\pm}46{\mu}g/-Cr$], six had APSGN ($93{\pm}404{\mu}g/g-Cr$), seven had IgA nephropathy ($3,414{\pm}106{\mu}g/g-Cr$), 9 had APN ($742{\pm}160{\mu}g/g-Cr$), 16 had cystitis ($179{\pm}168{\mu}g/g-Cr$), and 12 had HSP nephritis ($109{\pm}898{\mu}g/g-Cr$). IgA nephropathy (P<0.05) and APN (P<0.05) were significantly higher than in other renal diseases. Among primary nephrotic syndrome, FSGS with higher results of ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin test had longer treatment period (P<0.01) when compared to the lower groups, but no significant differences in Ccr, BUN, or Cr were observed. Conclusion : IgA nephropathy and APN groups showed significantly higher level of ${\beta}_2$-M excretion value than other groups. Although ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin value is not appropriate as an indicator of general renal function and pathology, it seems to be sufficient in the differential diagnosis of the UTI and in the prediction of the treat-ment period of nephrotic syndrome patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.127-136
• /
• 1985

To evaluate change of serum $beta_2-microglobulin$ concentration$(s\beta_2-MG)$ and the usefulness of $s\beta_2-MG$ and $s\beta_2-MG/serum$ creatinine concentration(sCr) ratio in various renal diseases, $s\beta_2-MG$ and sCr were measured in 25 normal controls and 90 patients of various renal diseases(16 cases of glomerulonephritis, 12 cases of acute renal failure, 8 cases of chronic renal failure, 24 cases of nephrotic syndrome, 15 cases of tubulointerstitial diseases and 15 cases of lupus nephritis) using $Phadebas^\circledR$ $Beta_2-Micro$ Test kits. The results were as follows; 1) In normal control, the mean value of $s\beta_2-MG$ was $1.65{\pm}0.41mg/l$ and the mean value of $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio was $0.14{\pm}0.05$. 2) In various renal diseases, the mean value of $s\beta_2-MG$ was $6.74{\pm}5.47mg/l$. The mean value of $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio was $0.24{\pm}0.11$ and significantly elevated than that of normal control. (p<0.05) 3) The correlation between $s\beta_2-MG$ and sCr in glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease was log $s\beta_2-MG-0.90$ log sCr-0.48 and its correlation coefficient was 0.78(p<0.05). 4) In glomerular disease, the correlation between $s\beta_2-MG$ and sCr was log $s\beta_2-MG-0.89$ log sCr-0.46(r - 0.76) and in tubulointerstitial disease, it was log, $s\beta2-MG-0.95$ log sCr-0.59 (r-0.87). There was no significant difference between the two groups(p<0.05). 5) Among 32 cases of glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease patients, whose sCr was within normal range, 17 cases showed elevated $s\beta_2-MG$. The mean values of $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio in these patients was $0.30{\pm}0.14$ and significantly elevated than that of normal control(p<0.05). 6) In 15 cases of lupus nephritis, 12 cases showed elevated $s\beta_2-MG$ with normal sCr and 12 cases showed elevated $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio. With above results, it was found that the $s\beta_2MG$ can be used as an index of glomerular filtration rate as in the case of sCr and that $s\beta_2-MG/sCr$ ratio can be used as a tool in early detection of slightly decreased glomerular filtration rate and in detection of the renal disease of increased $\beta_2-MG$ production.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.369-374
• /
• 2011

MHC-I molecules play a critical role in immune surveillance against viruses by presenting peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Although the mechanisms by which MHC-I molecules assemble and acquire peptides in the ER are well characterized, how MHC-I molecules traffic to the cell surface remains poorly understood. To identify novel proteins that regulate the intracellular transport of MHC-I molecules, MHC-I-interacting proteins were isolated by affinity purification, and their identity was determined by mass spectrometry. Among the identified MHC-I-associated proteins was Tmp21, the human ortholog of yeast Emp24p, which mediates the ER-Golgi trafficking of a subset of proteins. Here, we show that Tmp21 binds to human classical and non-classical MHC-I molecules. The Tmp21-MHC-I complex lacks ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin, and the number of the complexes is increased when free MHC-I heavy chains are more abundant. Taken together, these results suggest that Tmp21 is a novel protein that preferentially binds to ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin-free MHC-I heavy chains.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.86-91
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify renal inflammation following Kawasaki disease (KD) using single photon emission computed tomography along with Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA renal SPECT). Methods: From March 2011 to October 2011, 15 patients diagnosed with KD at the National Health Insurance System Ilsan Hospital were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent DMSA renal SPECT to evaluate renal involvement during the acute phase of KD. Urine ${\beta}2$-microglobulin (${\beta}2$-MG), a marker of renal proximal tubular dysfunction, was also measured to assess renal damage. Results: All 15 patients had normal renal function test results. However, microscopic hematuria and pyuria were observed in 13% and 33% of the patients, respectively. Moreover, urine ${\beta}2$-MG was elevated in 46% of the patients. In addition, patients were divided into two groups based on ${\beta}2$-MG level: those with an increased ${\beta}2$-MG level, and those with a normal ${\beta}2$-MG level. No significant differences were found between these two groups in clinical characteristics, laboratory, sonography, and echocardiography findings. All patients' DMSA renal SPECT scans were normal. Conclusion: Our study showed that mild abnormalities in the urinalysis and elevated urine ${\beta}2$-MG were the only findings of renal involvement in KD. However, no aggressive renal manifestations were detected on DMSA renal SPECT.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.143-149
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase(NAG) and beta 2-microglobulin(B2M) is considered to be a marker of tubulointerstitial injury. The aim of this study was to examine the urinary levels of NAG and B2M in children with various renal diseases. Methods : We studied 21 children(8.9$\pm$4.5 years, Male:Female=14:7) and they were divided into three groups: group I(steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome-4 patients), group II(various kinds of glomerulonephritis-4 patients), and group III(normal urinalysis or non-glomerular renal diseases-13 patients). Results : Urinary NAG levels in groups I and II were significantly higher than those in group III(19.4$\pm$11.5 and 30.0$\pm$30.1 vs. 4.7$\pm$3.9, P=0.01), while urinary B2M levels did not differ among the 3 groups, although urinary NAG levels were positively correlated with urinary B2M levels(r=0.49, P=0.03). Urinary NAG and B2M levels were all correlated with proteinuria(r=0.79, P<0.001 and r=0.68, respectively, P=0.001) serum albumin(r=-0.72, P<0.001 and r=-0.57, respectively, P=0.01) and cholesterol(r=0.58, P=0.006 and r=0.56, respectively, P=0.013) levels. Conclusions : Urinary excretions of NAG and B2M are increased in children with steroidsensitive nephrotic syndrome and various kinds of glomerulonephritis, suggesting tubular dysfunction might be present in these diseases.