Further, our data do not prove, but indirectly suggest, that other factors than IC deposition might influence the progression of nephritis and proteinuria, such as renal VD-mediated effects, since we found a correlation between anti-dsDNA IgG in serum and IgG deposition in the kidney but no association between IgG deposition or renal TLR-7/TLR-9 levels and proteinuria onset. The gene discussed is TLR9; the disease is nephritis.