Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-863 C/A Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Nephrotic Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Cytokines act as a mediator of inflammation in childhood nephrotic syndrome. Polymorphisms of cytokines genes may influence susceptibility to nephrotic syndrome (NS), as well as, patients’ steroid responses. Objective: To study the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha single nucleotide polymorphisms (TNF-α SNP) (-863 C/A) with the development of NS in addition to access to their effects on serum level of TNF and the response to steroid therapy. Patients and Methods: This study included 60 patients (19 female and 41 male) with nephrotic syndrome; their ages ranged from 2 to 18 years. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to assess the TNF-α gene polymorphism. Results: According to the digestion pattern of RFLP-PCR products of TNF-α-863, this polymorphism had three genotypes, which were CC, CA, and AA, in both NS patients and controls. Also, the current result observed that -863 SNP do not affect the serum level of TNF-α and steroid responsiveness in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion: This polymorphism did not show any significant association with response to steroid therapy and TNF serum level neither at genotype nor at allele level.