Association of TLR9 gene polymorphisms with lupus nephritis in a Chinese Han population.
OBJECTIVE
Although increasing data have supported the possible role of TLR-9 in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN), the effect of TLR-9 on the lupus phenotype remains controversial. The aim of this study was to associate common variants in the TLR9 gene with susceptibility to lupus nephritis in the Chinese population to further ascertain whether it is a susceptible locus for SLE, especially its likely role in LN from a comparatively large population.


METHODS
Two previously reported SLE associated single nucleotide polymorphism (rs352139, rs352140) were investigated in a case-control study comprised of 315 patients with biopsy proven lupus nephritis and 338 matched healthy controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were typed by TaqMan allele discrimination assays.


RESULTS
Both rs352139 (p=0.040, OR: 0.713, 95%CI: 0.516-0.985) and rs352140 (p=0.048, OR: 0.723, 95%CI: 0.525-0.997) were associated with LN in dominant model. A trend for an association between genotypes and the disease activity indexes was observed. However, no significance was achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggested that TLR9 gene have a role in establishing an autoimmune background and pathogenesis in human LN.
Zhou
Xu-Jie
XJ
Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University Institute of Nephrology, and Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Lv
Ji-Cheng
JC
Cheng
Wen-Rong
WR
Yu
Lei
L
Zhao
Ming-Hui
MH
Zhang
Hong
H
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000208:ethnology; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9