In an elegant but still unfolding story of molecular detective work, researchers hunting for a cause of chronic kidney disease have homed in on a protein known as soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). Historically, the leading risk factors for the disease have been high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain mutations that are more common in African-Americans. But recent findings have convinced some researchers that suPAR can directly attack the kidney, and that high levels increase risk far more than any other factor. Others aren9t convinced. But people on both sides are fascinated by suPAR, a molecular marker that, at elevated levels in the blood, seems to presage many health calamities, such as heart attacks, diabetes, and premature death. The molecule appears to be a potent signal broadcast by an immune system under siege. It is exquisitely sensitive to inflammation, an accelerant for many diseases.

中文翻译：

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血液中的预兆

在分子侦探工作的一个优雅但仍在展开的故事中，寻找慢性肾病病因的研究人员已将目光锁定在一种称为可溶性尿激酶纤溶酶原激活剂受体 (suPAR) 的蛋白质上。从历史上看，该疾病的主要危险因素是高血压、糖尿病和某些在非裔美国人中更常见的突变。但是最近的发现让一些研究人员相信 suPAR 可以直接攻击肾脏，而且高水平增加风险的程度远远超过任何其他因素。其他人不相信。但是双方的人们都对 suPAR 着迷，这是一种分子标记，血液中的水平升高，似乎预示着许多健康灾难，例如心脏病发作、糖尿病和过早死亡。该分子似乎是被围困的免疫系统广播的有效信号。