Toll-like receptor 9 SNPs are susceptible to the development and progression of membranous glomerulonephritis: 27 years follow-up in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to determine whether toll-like receptors 9 (TLR9) gene polymorphisms (rs352139 and rs352140) were markers of susceptibility to the development and progression of membranous nephropathy (MGN) in Taiwanese patients. The polymorphisms were investigated by polymerase chain reaction in 397 Taiwanese individuals (134 MGN patients and 263 controls). Patients with malignancy, chronic infectious diseases, lupus nephritis, or drug-induced secondary MGN were excluded from the study. Data showed AA genotype at rs352139 SNP or GG genotype at rs352140 SNP may indicate higher risk for MGN (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-2.35, at rs352139 SNP; OR 1.57; 95% CI = 1.03-2.39, at rs352140 SNP). However, MGN patients with A-G haplotype were susceptible for decreased creatinine clearance rate and for seriously tubule-interstitial fibrosis. The result suggests for the first time that TLR9 (rs352139 and rs352140) polymorphisms may contribute to the development and progression of MGN.