title: -308 G > A of TNF-α gene promoter decreases the risk of multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Environmental and genetic factors are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α -308 were implicated in MS risk in several case-control association studies. However, the studies have shown inconsistent results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To address the association of G/A polymorphisms of TNF-α -308 with MS risk by meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen studies were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) together with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1870 cases and 2769 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled result indicated that -308 A allele is significantly associated with reduced risk of MS compared with -308 G allele (A vs. G, p=0.022). The same pattern of the result was also obtained in the contrasts of AA+ GA vs. GG (p=0.008) and GA vs. GG (p=0.007). For AA vs. GG or AA vs. GA + GG, no significant association was detected most likely caused by very low frequency or non-availability of homozygote genotype AA for all of the studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TNF-α -308 A allele is associated with reduced risk of MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, #13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Rulin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Feili
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha