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Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genetic polymorphisms and the risk of autoimmune liver disease: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-308G/A and (TNF-α)-238G/A polymorphisms, and the risk of autoimmune liver disease (AILD), yet the results are conflicting. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we performed this meta-analysis. A systematic review was conducted to identify all eligible studies of TNF-α polymorphisms and AILD risk. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association between the two TNF-α polymorphisms and AILD risk. A total of 15 eligible studies were identified. Overall, positive associations of -308G/A polymorphism with AILD risk were found (A vs G allele: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.13–1.86; AA vs GG: OR = 2.74, 95%CI = 1.51–4.96; GA vs GG: OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.11–1.92; dominant model: OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.18–2.10; recessive model: OR = 2.22, 95%CI = 1.31–3.76). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significantly higher risk was found in Caucasians. In subgroup analysis by AILD category, significant association was observed in autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, especially in Caucasians. Patients carrying TNF-α-238A allele had a slightly decreased risk of developing AILD (OR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.48–0.87). However, we found both TNF-α polymorphisms were not associated with primary biliary cirrhosis risk, even in subgroup analysis. Our meta-analysis suggests that the TNF-α-308G/A and -238G/A polymorphisms may contribute to AILD susceptibility in Caucasians, especially for autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Nevertheless, we found both TNF-α polymorphisms were unlikely to be associated with the risk of primary biliary cirrhosis.

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Acknowledgements

The work described in this paper was not supported by any kind of funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China

    SHAN LI, XIAMEI HUANG, HUIZHI ZHONG, QILIU PENG, YAN DENG & XUE QIN

  2. Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health at Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China

    ZHIPING CHEN

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  1. SHAN LI
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[Li S., Huang X., Zhong H., Chen Z., Peng Q., Deng Y. and Qin X. 2013 Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genetic polymorphisms and the risk of autoimmune liver disease: a meta-analysis. J. Genet. 92, xx–xx]

Shan Li, Xiamei Huang and Huizhi Zhong contributed equally to this work.

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LI, S., HUANG, X., ZHONG, H. et al. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) genetic polymorphisms and the risk of autoimmune liver disease: a meta-analysis. J Genet 92, 617–628 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-013-0272-9

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