Tumor necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphisms and haplotypes in Egyptian children with nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) characterized by complex pathogenesis and clinical course with relapses; and needs novel breakthroughs for decades. Polymorphisms of cytokines genes including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)may influence susceptibility to NS as well as different patients' steroid responses. In the current study, we demonstrated the potential roles of TNF-α promoter gene polymorphisms [-238, -308, -863] and haplotypes in susceptibility to childhood NS.