Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins in Kidney Disease

The seven members of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein family (IGFBPs) were initially considered to be the regulatory proteins of IGFs in the blood circulation, mainly as the subsequent reserve for bidirectional regulation of IGF function during environmental changes. However, in recent years, IGFBPs has been found to have many functions independent of IGFs. The role of IGFBPs in regulating transcription, inducing cell migration and apoptosis is closely related to the occurrence and development of kidney disease. IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4 are closely associated with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5, IGFBP-6 are involved in different kidney disease such as diabetes, FSGS and CKD physiological process as apoptosis proteins, IGFBP-7 has been used in clinical practice as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of AKI. This review focuses on the differential expression and pathogenesis of IGFBPs in kidney disease.