TNFα gene polymorphism in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Cytokines play a main role as progressive factors in nephrotic syndrome (NS). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) produced by activated macrophages is often accompanied by pro inflammatory properties. Some cytokine gene polymorphisms like TNFα have associated with various inflammatory diseases as glomerulonephritis. The aim of the current work was to investigate the serum level of TNFα and the association between TNFα G308A polymorphism and the response to steroid therapy in nephrotic syndrome. This study was conducted on 250 subjects, 100 healthy children, 50 steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS), and 100 steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome patients (SRNS). Serum concentration of TNFα was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and TNFα-G308A gene polymorphism was estimated by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP). Serum concentrations of TNFα significantly increased in SRNS cases when compared to SSNS subgroups. TNF GA, AA, GA + AA genotypes and A allele showed significant association with risk of NS development within healthy control subjects. TNFα-G308A genotypes and alleles did not differ significantly between SSNS and SRNS groups.