Fcγ receptor IIB and IIIB polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis: A meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to explore whether polymorphisms of the Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) IIB T/I232 and FcγRIIIB NA1/NA2, confer susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN). The authors conducted a meta-analysis on associations between the FcγRIIB T/I232 and FcγRIIIB NA1/NA2 polymorphisms and SLE and LN susceptibility as determined using 1) allele contrast, 2) recessive, 3) dominant models and 4) contrast of homozygotes. A total of 16 separate comparisons were considered, consisting of 2887 SLE patients and 3105 controls. Meta-analysis of the FcγRIIB T/I232 polymorphism showed a significant association between the FcγRIIB T allele and the risk of developing SLE compared with the FcγRIIB I allele (OR = 1.207, 95% Cl = 1.061-1.373, P = 0.004). In subjects of Asian descent, a significant association was observed between the FcγRIIB T allele and SLE (OR = 1.332, 95% CI 1.138-1.558, P < 0.001). However, in Europeans no such association was found. In contrast, no association was found between SLE or LN and the FcγRIIIB NA1/NA2 polymorphism in all subjects, or in European and Asian populations. This meta-analysis shows that the FcγRIIB T/I232 polymorphism confers susceptibility to SLE, especially in Asian-derived populations.