What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
IgA Nephropathy Risk: 8/10 evidence, 23 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Higher Risk of IgA Kidney Disease
Carrying two copies of the A allele is linked to elevated IgA antibody levels and a higher risk of IgA nephropathy. This genotype is also associated with lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol.
What this genotype means: Elevated risk of IgA nephropathy; Higher circulating IgA levels; Lower HDL cholesterol levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/G
Moderately Higher Kidney Disease Risk
Carrying one copy of the A allele moderately increases the risk of IgA nephropathy. This profile is also associated with intermediate levels of HDL cholesterol.
What this genotype means: Moderately increased risk of IgA nephropathy; Slightly elevated IgA levels; Typical HDL cholesterol levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Typical Kidney Disease Risk and Higher HDL
Carrying two copies of the G allele is associated with a typical risk of IgA nephropathy and higher levels of protective HDL cholesterol.
What this genotype means: Typical risk of IgA nephropathy; Higher HDL cholesterol levels; Typical IgA levels.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The TNFSF13 gene encodes a protein known as APRIL, which stands for a proliferation-inducing ligand. This protein is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily and plays a critical role in B-cell development and survival [1]. It is highly involved in regulating the production of immunoglobulins, particularly immunoglobulin A (IgA) [2]. Dysregulation of this pathway can lead to autoimmune conditions or kidney disorders [3]. Specifically, abnormal levels of APRIL are linked to the accumulation of IgA in the kidneys, a hallmark of IgA nephropathy [3].
Variant Impact: The rs3803800 variant is a missense mutation in the TNFSF13 gene that changes the amino acid at position 96 from asparagine to serine. This structural change alters the function of the APRIL protein, directly impacting how B cells produce antibodies [1]. The A allele of this variant is associated with higher circulating levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and serum globulins [1] [2]. Consequently, this allele significantly increases susceptibility to IgA nephropathy, a condition where IgA antibodies build up and damage the kidneys [3]. Conversely, the G allele is linked to higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol [4].
Key Insight: The same genetic variant that increases the risk of a serious kidney disease also influences your protective HDL cholesterol levels in the opposite direction.
Location: TNFSF13. Chromosome 17 · 17p13.1 · 7.6 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 16.3%; European 4.5%; African 41.4%; East Asian 13.3%; South Asian 11.6%; Americas 14.3%; Ashkenazi 4.3%; Finnish 6.1%; Middle Eastern 3.5%; Amish 3.5%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 39.3%; European 33.5%; African 45.9%; East Asian 46.3%; South Asian 44.9%; Americas 47.0%; Ashkenazi 32.9%; Finnish 37.1%; Middle Eastern 30.4%; Amish 30.4%.
Estimated AG genotype frequency.
Global 44.4%; European 61.9%; African 12.7%; East Asian 40.3%; South Asian 43.5%; Americas 38.8%; Ashkenazi 62.9%; Finnish 56.8%; Middle Eastern 66.1%; Amish 66.1%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Organ Systems
Kidney Function & Disease
IgA Nephropathy. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 22197929. ~1.5x Increased Risk.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Lipids & Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 33462484. Lower HDL.
Immunity & Inflammation
Inflammatory & Circulating Protein Markers
Immunoglobulin A Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 22864923. Elevated IgA.
Nutrition & Metabolism
Blood Chemistry & Metabolites
Serum Globulin Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 22558069. Elevated Globulin.
Showing effects for A/G genotype
IgA Nephropathy. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 22197929. Slightly Increased.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 33462484. Typical HDL.
Immunoglobulin A Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 22864923. Slightly Elevated.
Serum Globulin Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 22558069. Slightly Elevated.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
IgA Nephropathy. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 22197929. Typical Risk.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 33462484. Higher HDL.
Immunoglobulin A Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 22864923. Typical IgA.
Serum Globulin Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 22558069. Typical Globulin.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Two copies of the A allele are present at this locus. This genetic profile is strongly associated with elevated levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the blood [1]. Higher IgA levels increase the likelihood of these antibodies depositing in the kidneys, leading to inflammation and tissue damage [2]. Large-scale genetic studies show that this genotype significantly raises the risk of developing IgA nephropathy, a leading cause of chronic kidney disease [3]. In addition to kidney risks, this genotype is associated with higher serum globulin and total protein levels [4]. However, it is also linked to lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol [5]. Maintaining regular kidney function monitoring and cardiovascular health is particularly relevant for individuals with this profile.
Elevated risk of IgA nephropathy; Higher circulating IgA levels; Lower HDL cholesterol levels.
Sample genotype: AG (Heterozygous)
One copy of the A allele and one copy of the G allele are present. This heterozygous profile represents an intermediate genetic influence on antibody production and lipid levels. The presence of the A allele moderately increases circulating levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) [1]. This elevation in IgA is associated with a higher risk of IgA nephropathy, where antibody complexes accumulate in the kidney's filtering units [2] [3]. On the metabolic side, the G allele provides a modest boost to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels [4]. However, the overall risk of kidney inflammation remains elevated compared to those with two copies of the G allele [2]. Monitoring kidney health through routine blood and urine tests can help manage these risks early.
Moderately increased risk of IgA nephropathy; Slightly elevated IgA levels; Typical HDL cholesterol levels.
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Two copies of the G allele are present at this locus. This genotype is associated with the lowest risk of developing IgA nephropathy, as it lacks the risk-elevating A allele [1] [2]. Antibody production remains within typical ranges, with lower circulating levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) compared to A-allele carriers [3]. In addition to kidney protection, this profile is strongly linked to higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which supports cardiovascular health [4]. Metabolic studies consistently show that the G allele raises HDL levels across diverse populations [5]. While total cholesterol may also be slightly higher, the overall lipid profile tends to favor protective HDL [4]. This combination of typical kidney risk and favorable HDL levels represents a highly supportive genetic profile.
Typical risk of IgA nephropathy; Higher HDL cholesterol levels; Typical IgA levels.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs11552708 · TNFSF13 Gene · Chr 17 · Lupus and Immune Health
rs2738058 · DEFA1 Gene · Chr 8 · Kidney and Gum Health
rs10096633 · LPL Gene · Chr 8 · Triglycerides and Heart Health
Genetics of 35 blood and urine biomarkers in the UK Biobank.
The power of genetic diversity in genome-wide association studies of lipids.
Content updated August 2026.
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