Association between the PD1.3A/G polymorphism of the  PDCD1 gene and systemic lupus erythematosus in European populations:  a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Linkage studies suggest a locus, SLEB2, involved in susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene locates in this region. The association of PDCD1 polymorphism (PD1.3A/G) with SLE has been widely investigated, but there are no unambiguous conclusions.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the combined evidence for the association between PD1.3A/G polymorphism and SLE and to summarize the effect size of the polymorphism associated with susceptibility to SLE.


METHODS
We surveyed studies on the PD1.3A/G polymorphism and SLE using comprehensive PubMed search up to May 2008. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated using a fixed- or a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was identified by sensitivity analysis and publication bias was examined by funnel plot and Egger's test. We also computed the power for a given number of samples.


RESULTS
A total of 20 datasets from eight studies that met our inclusion criteria were included. The studies comprised of a total of 2909 cases and 3995 controls. Stratified meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between PD1.3A and SLE among non-Spanish European descents [OR, 1.290; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.098-1.516; z = 3.10, P = 0.002], while PD1.3G is the risk allele in Spanish populations (OR = 1.414, 95% CI = 1.075-1.862; z = 2.48, P = 0.013). Both results have sufficient power to support these findings. No publication bias presented in the studies analysed.


CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between PD1.3A and SLE among non-Spanish European descents, while a negative association was observed in Spanish population.
Liu
J-L
JL
Institute of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Zhang
F-Y
FY
Liang
Y-H
YH
Xiao
F-L
FL
Zhang
S-Q
SQ
Cheng
Y-L
YL
Yuan
C-D
CD
Chen
Q-P
QP
Yang
S
S
Zhang
X-J
XJ
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
D015703:Antigens, CD; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor