Objective: To study the ACE2 gene polymorphism in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) and its correlation with renal injury. Methods: A total of 47 children diagnosed with PNS in our hospital between May 2013 and December 2015 were selected as the PNS group of the study, they received prednisone therapy and the hormone sensitivity was judged; 40 healthy children receiving physical examination in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group of the study.

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... heral blood was collected to extract genomic DNA, and after PCR reaction and enzyme digestion reaction, ACE2 polymorphism was judged; serum and renal biopsy tissue were collected to determine kidney function indexes. Results: The constituent ratio of ACE2 gene GG genotype, AG genotype and AA genotype as well as the constituent ratio of alleles G and A of PNS group were not significantly different from those of control group while the constituent ratio of GG genotype and the constituent ratio of allele G of children with steroid-resistant PNS were significantly higher than those of children with steroid-sensitive PNS; Scr, BUN, UA and CysC content in serum as well as TLR4, TLR7, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 expression levels in kidney tissue of PNS children with GG genotype were significantly higher than those of PNS children with AG genotype and AA genotype, and Scr, BUN, UA and CysC content in serum as well as TLR4, TLR7, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 expression levels in kidney tissue of PNS children with AG genotype were not significantly different from those of PNS children with AA genotype. Conclusions: ACE2 gene polymorphism is associated with the steroid treatment sensitivity in children with PNS, and children with GG genotype are with higher steroidresistant risk, poorer renal function and higher expression of IL-1β and IL-18.