title: Lack of association between TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and atherosclerosis: evidence from meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression was found to increase markedly in human atherosclerotic lesions, notably on macrophages and endothelial cells. TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism was associated with a blunted receptor activity and a subsequently diminished inflammatory response, and may subsequently reduce atherosclerosis (AS) risk. However, the results of molecular epidemiological studies remained inconsistent.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed, CNKI databases were searched for all articles available. The OR corresponding to the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to assess the association between TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and risk of AS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  15 case-control studies with 9,989 cases and 6,746 controls were available for this analysis. For control subjects, G allele frequency of TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism was ranging from 0.045 to 0.085. The G allele and the AG/GG genotypes were not associated with significantly risk of AS (OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.83 - 1.26 for G versus A and OR=0.96, 95% CI=0.80 - 1.15 for AG/GG versus AA, respectively) by random effects model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicated that TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism may not play a role in AS development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lushun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yanyun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4