title: Polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 gene and rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The +49A/G polymorphism and CT60 polymorphism in the CTLA-4 gene have been extensively examined for the association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, results of different studies have been inconclusive. The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risks of +49A/G and CT60 polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 gene for RA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A meta-analysis was carried out to analyze the association of +49A/G and CT60 polymorphisms with RA risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 30 case-control studies in 20 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that the variant G allele carriers (GG + GA) of +49A/G polymorphism had an 18% increased risk of RA when compared with the homozygote AA (odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.34 for GG + AG vs. AA). In addition, the variant CT60 A allele carriers of CT60 polymorphism had a 14% decreased risk of RA when compared with the homozygote GG (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.78-0.95 for AA + AG vs. GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated RA risks were associated with +49G allele carriers in Asians, but not in Europeans. However, for CT60 polymorphism, significant decreased RA risks were associated with CT60 A allele carriers in Europeans, but not in Asians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis suggested that the +49A/G and CT60 polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 gene may be risk factors for RA.
authors.affiliation: The 452nd Military Hospital of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China. litanhua01@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Xiaobo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhangjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhangpeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Zhanzhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xingqiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics*; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human