Toll like receptor 7 & 9 gene expressions and their relation with HCV-associated renal failure in Egyptian patients.

Background: HCV infection can lead to kidney disease, and renal patients may acquire HCV through hemodialysis. Multiple mechanisms contribute to acute and chronic renal syndromes, and failure are often complicated by HCV infection in advanced stages.Aim: To evaluate the expression levels of TLRs 7 & 9 genes and investigate their potential role in the development of renal damage among Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection.Methods: Patients were classified into four groups: controls, renal dialysis without HCV, chronic HCV infection, and renal dialysis with HCV infection. Clinical data were collected, and liver and renal function tests were performed. Expression levels of TLR-7 and TLR-9 were quantified using real-time PCR, and HCV viremia was confirmed by PCR.Results: HCV PCR was negative in controls and dialysis patients without HCV, and positive in chronic HCV and dialysis with HCV groups. Serum albumin levels were lower in HCV-infected patients, especially those with renal failure. ALT, AST, and total bilirubin were significantly higher in HCV and HCV + dialysis groups than in controls. Serum urea and creatinine were highest in dialysis with HCV patients. Notably, TLR-7 and TLR-9 expression was significantly upregulated in the renal failure with HCV group compared to other groups.Conclusion: Increased fold expression levels of TLR-7 and TLR-9 genes are strongly associated with HCV-induced renal failure, suggesting a potential involvement of these receptors in the pathogenesis of HCV-related complications. The dysregulation of these genes may serve as an early and reliable biomarker for predicting kidney injury among Egyptian patients.