title: Association of TNFSF4 polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To more precisely estimate the association between the tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4 (TNFSF4) gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk, we surveyed studies on the association of the TNFSF4 rs2205960, rs1234315, rs844644, and rs844648 polymorphisms with SLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature-based search was conducted to identify all relevant studies. A total of eight independent studies were identified and subsequently reviewed in the meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The meta-analysis showed an association between the TNFSF4 rs2205960 polymorphism and SLE in all subjects [ odds ratio (OR) 1.327, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.227-1.436, P < 0.001]. In a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significantly increased risk for SLE was associated with TNFSF4 rs2205960 T allele among patients of European (OR 1.254, 95% CI 1.185-1.328, P < 0.001) and Asian ethnicity (OR 1.425, 95% CI 1.352-1.501, P < 0.001). The meta-analysis of the rs1234315 polymorphism revealed no association between SLE and the rs1234315 T allele in all subjects (OR 1.167, 95% CI 0.874-1.558, P = 0.296), but the results of the subgroup analysis revealed significant association in subjects of Asian ethnicity (OR 1.386, 95% CI 1.318-1.458, P < 0.001). No association was found between the rs844644 and rs844648 polymorphisms and SLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our meta-analysis suggest that the TNFSF4 rs2205960 polymorphism may confer susceptibility to SLE in different populations and that the TNFSF4 rs1234315 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to SLE in Asians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Man-Man
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Wang-Dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qian-Ling
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Chen-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hai-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Jin-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dong-Qing
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D053278:OX40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D053278:OX40 Ligand; C089251:TNFSF4 protein, human