Table 2.

Candidate biomarkers with potential to predict steroid resistance before therapy

Name	Protein	Detection rate (SSNS)	Detection rate (SRNS)	P value (rank sum)	Area ratio (SSNS:SRNS)	Log2 (SSNS:SRNS)	Protein function
Collagen alpha-3(VI) chain	COL6A3	86	50	0.02	9.1	3.2	Alpha chain of type VI Collagen that acts as a cell-binding protein and is implicated in muscle and connective tissue related diseases
Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2	IGFBP2	100	63	0.04	9	3.2	Inhibits IGF-mediated growth and developmental rates. IGF-binding proteins prolong the half-life of the IGFs and either inhibit or stimulate the growth promoting effects of the IGFs by altering the interaction of IGFs with their cell surface receptors
72 kDa type IV collagenase	MMP2	86	63	0.03	2.3	1.2	Ubiquitous metalloproteinase that is involved in diverse functions such as remodeling of the vasculature, angiogenesis, tissue repair, tumor invasion, inflammation, atherosclerotic plaque rupture, and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins
Apolipoprotein Ea	APOE	100	100	0.04	1.9	0.9	Mediates the binding, internalization, and catabolism of lipoprotein particles
Adiponectin	ADIPOQ	100	100	0.01	1.8	0.8	Important adipokine involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity, with direct antidiabetic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory activities
Sex hormone–binding globulin	SHBG	100	100	0.03	1.8	0.8	Functions as an androgen transport protein and regulates the plasma metabolic clearance rate of steroid hormones
EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1	EFEMP1	100	100	0.01	1.6	0.7	Binds EGFR, induces EGFR autophosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling pathways
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4	ITIH4	100	100	0.01	1.4	0.5	Also known as type II APP; it is involved in inflammatory response to trauma
Hemopexin	HPX	100	100	0	0.7	−0.5	Plasma protein with high affinity for heme and associates with HDL and influences its inflammatory properties
Vitamin D binding protein	VDB	100	100	0.03	0.7	−0.5	Belongs to albumin gene family and major role is transport of various forms of Vitamin D metabolites; enhancement of the chemotactic activity of C5 alpha for neutrophils in inflammation and macrophage activation
Antithrombin-III	SERPINC1	100	100	0.01	0.7	−0.5	Serine protease inhibitor in plasma
Zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein	AZGP1	100	100	0.03	0.6	−0.7	Stimulates lipid degradation in adipocytes
Fetuin-B	FETUB	100	100	0.02	0.5	−1	Protease inhibitor

APP, acute-phase protein; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; HDL, high density lipoprotein; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; SRNS, steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome; SSNS, steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

^aEntry not observed in “mechanistic analysis.”