PDGF-B gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms are not predictive for disease onset or progression of IgA nephropathy.

Background: Few genetic factors have been identified that determine susceptibility to and progression of IgA-nephropathy (IgAN). Given that IgAN is usually characterized by mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis and that PDGF-B is of central pathophysiological relevance in this process, we analyzed four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PDGF-B gene to evaluate a possible association of these SNPs with disease onset and progression, histological grading and responses to ACE inhibitor (ACEi) therapy.

Methods: The total study population consisted of 195 IgAN patients (127 from southern Italy and 68 from northern Germany) and 200 healthy controls (100 from each region).