Objective: It is clear that PAI-1 is a very important factor inhibiting extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in the pathology process of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), so we design to investigate the relationship between PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism and IgAN pathogenesis and progression.
Methods: Clinical baseline data such as blood pressure, urinary protein excretion, serum profile, and extent of renal tissue damage at the time of renal biopsy were collected. The genotypes of PAI-1 were profiled by PCR-RFLP.
Results: (1) The distributions of genotype 4G 4G, 4G5G, 5G5G in PAI-1 gene promoter showed no significant difference between the IgAN group (0.33, 0.19, 0.48) and control group (0.3, 0.23, 0.47; chi-square =1.63, P>0.05); (2) There is an increasing frequency of 4G4G homozygote in the IgAN group who had severe pathology change proved by biopsy (0.39 vs 0.28; chi-square =7.86, P<0.05); in the patients group,the ones who carried 4G4G genotype got lower Ccr than 4G5G genotype cases did (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The data here suggest that the 4G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 is not a risk factor in IgAN etiology, but may facilitate the process of IgAN to end stage renal disease.