Associations between TNFAIP3 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus: A meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-inducible protein 3 (TNFAIP3) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in ethnically different populations. Methods: The authors conducted meta-analyses on associations between the TNFAIP3 polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility, using fixed and random effects models. Results: A total of eight comparative studies were included in this meta-analysis, which included four Asian, three European, and one African American population. Meta-analysis revealed that an association was found between the minor allele of rs2230926 and SLE in all subjects (odds ratio [OR] 1.848, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.547-2.208, p<1.0×10 ^-9). After stratification by ethnicity, the minor allele of rs2230926 was found to be significantly associated with SLE in Asians and Europeans (OR 1.821, 95% CI 1.495-2.219, p<1.0×10^-9; OR 2.251, 95% CI 1.830-2.768, p<1.0×10^-9). In addition, a significant association was found between the minor allele of the rs5029939 polymorphism and the risk of developing SLE in all study subjects and Europeans (OR 1.804, 95% CI 1.255-2.592, p=0.001; OR 2.145, 95% CI 1.731-2.658, p<1.0×10 ^-9). Furthermore, an association was found between the minor allele of rs3757173 and SLE in all study subjects (OR 1.540, 95% CI 1.017-2.331, p=0.041). However, no association was found between SLE susceptibility and rs6922466 (OR 0.953, 95% CI 0.812-1.120, p=0.561). Conclusions: This meta-analysis confirms that the TNFAIP3 polymorphisms are associated with SLE susceptibility in different ethnic groups, namely in Asians and Europeans.