This fact suggests that the MYH9-APOL1 gene region is probably acting in the risk of CKD not through immunological mechanisms and activation of nephritis itself, but probably through the disregulation of podocyte function (the main cell type so far considered to be related to MYH9-APOL1 genes), with enhancement of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. Here, APOL1 is linked to chronic kidney disease.