title: [Fundamental and clinical aspects of cystatin C].
abstract: Recent progress of fundamental and clinical studies on cystatin C was reviewed. Most of key studies are indebted to prof. Grubb A and his groups. International contributions from Japanese research work are included here. The protein is a basic low molecular weight protein of 13,300 with 120 amino acid residues and pI 9.3, functioning as a cysteine protease inhibitor. With an introduction of ERM-DA471, international reference material for serum cystatin C, global standardization for immunoassay systems has been much facilitated. No serious problems are present in the pre-analytical stage. Serum reference intervals are properly set in all Asian populations including Japanese with age and gender-related differences. The protein is a powerful serum intrinsic marker for glomerular filtration rate. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcysC) in coupled with eGFRCr will definitely be a clinical routine for early detection and prevention of altered kidney function and cardiovascular events in general population. Genetic tests clinically indicated include hereditary cystatin C amyloid angiopathy (L68Q) and adult macular degeneration (A25T) although their frequency is extremely low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan. yoshiito@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kawabata
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akasaka
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kino
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055316:Cystatin C