title: Association of MeCP2 (rs2075596, rs2239464) genetic polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Limited studies have shown an association between the methyl-CpG-binding protein2 (MeCp2) genetic polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in different populations, but the results are inconclusive. In order to get a precise and systematic estimation, a meta-analysis was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search using English and Chinese databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Knowledge, Wanfang Data (Chinese), etc.) for the eligible studies was performed. Based on heterogeneity among studies, random- or fixed-effects models were selected to analyze the risk of SLE associated with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MeCP2 genetic polymorphisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increased risk of both SNPs of MeCP2 genetic variances associated with SLE was found. Analysis using a fixed-effects model found an increased risk of SLE with the A allele of rs2075596 (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.34 to 1.49, p < 0.001), and the random-effects model also identified a risk factor of A allele of rs2239464 (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.49, p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis suggested that the major source of between-study heterogeneity stemmed from the difference between diverse ethnic groups. After omitting the smallest study, no publication bias was found, which further confirmed the reliability and stability of the meta-analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mutations of SNPs (rs2075596, rs2239464) of MeCP2 showed increased risk of developing SLE. Large-scale multicenter epidemiological studies in selected populations with other risk factors are urgently required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health (Epidemiology and Health Statistics), School of Medicine, Ningbo University, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009154:Mutation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
keywords: MeCP2; Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2; SLE; meta-analysis; polymorphism; systemic lupus erythematosus