title: Comprehensive assessment of the association of WNK4 polymorphisms with hypertension: evidence from a meta-analysis.
abstract: The relationship between with-no-lysine [K] kinase 4 (WNK4) gene polymorphisms and hypertension has been widely investigated, However, the studies yielded contradictory results. To evaluate these inconclusive findings comprehensively, we therefore performed a meta-analysis. Ten articles encompassing 16 independent case-control studies with 6089 hypertensive cases and 4881 normotensive controls were selected for this meta-analysis. Four WNK4 gene polymorphisms were identified (G1155942T, G1156666A, T1155547C, and C6749T). The results showed statistically significant associations of G1155942T polymorphism (allelic genetic model: odds ration or OR = 1.62, 95% confidence interval or CI: 1.11-2.38, P = 0.01; dominant model: OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.07-3.19, P = 0.03) and C6749T polymorphism (allele contrast: OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.60-2.59, P<0.01; dominant model: OR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.59-2.62, P<0.01; and homozygous model: OR = 5.01, 95% CI: 1.29-19.54, P = 0.02) with hypertension risk. However, neither C1155547T nor G1156666A was associated significantly with hypertension susceptibility. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that WNK4 G1155942T and C6749T gene polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility and development of hypertension. Further well-designed studies with larger sample size are required to elucidate the association of WNK4 gene multiple polymorphisms with hypertension risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China [2] Xiuzhou District, Gaozhao Street Community Health Service Center, Jiaxing 314031, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Tian-ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Xuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Wei-quan
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Yun-peng
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Fu-rong
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Jian-hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors.forename: Liang-rong
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; C433806:WNK4 protein, human