title: Meta-analysis reveals an association of STAT4 polymorphisms with systemic autoimmune disorders and anti-dsDNA antibody.
abstract: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) has been recently identified as a susceptibility gene for multiple autoimmune diseases. Here we performed a comprehensive analysis of the association between STAT4 and several different autoimmune disorders to identify potential common inflammatory principles behind this association. Our meta-analysis revealed that the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism is associated with four autoimmune diseases with systemic pathology, including systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.48 - 1.56, P<1.0 × 10(-16)), rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.21 - 1.33, P < 1.00 × 10(-16)), systemic sclerosis (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.27 - 1.50, P < 1.44 × 10(-14)), and primary Sjogren's syndrome (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.73, P = 4.40 × 10(-2)), while no association was found with type I diabetes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Furthermore, the stratified meta-analysis also demonstrate that the STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism is associated with the presence of autoantibodies with systemic reactivity (anti-ds-DNA antibodies) in SLE patients (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.21 - 1.56, P = 1.12 × 10(-6)). However, no such specific association was seen in RA with regard to the presence of non-systemically reacting antibodies, including rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Taken together, these results suggest that STAT4 polymorphisms are associated with autoimmune diseases which are characterized by a systemic pathology and anti-dsDNA antibody.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Autoimmunity, The Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China.
authors.forename: Junfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Junping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Renliang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Xinhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor