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The −308 G/A polymorphism in TNF-α gene is associated with asthma risk: an update by meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

The −308 G/A polymorphism in TNF-α gene has been extensively investigated for association to asthma; however, results of different studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the genetic risk of −308 G/A polymorphism in TNF-α gene for asthma.

Methods

A meta-analysis was carried out to analyze the association between the −308 G/A polymorphism TNF-α gene and asthma risk.

Results

A total of 4717 cases and 5012 controls in 29 case–control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The result indicated that the variant A allele carriers had a 38% increased risk of asthma, when compared with the homozygote GG (odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–1.68 for AA + AG vs. GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant elevated risks were associated with A allele carriers in Asians (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.17–2.01 and P = 0.002) but not in Caucasians(OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.75–1.50 and P = 0.73). In the subgroup analysis by age, significant elevated risks were associated with A allele carriers in adults (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.14–1.81, and P = 0.002) and children (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.03–1.82, and P = 0.003). In the subgroup analysis by atopic status, significant elevated risks of asthma were associated with A allele carriers in atopic population (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.34–2.10, and P < 0.00001) but not in non-atopic population (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.58–1.68, and P = 0.95).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the TNF-α −308 G/A polymorphism contributes to susceptibility to asthma.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants #30470761, 30871117 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Conflict of interest

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China

    Yonggang Zhang, Amrit Bogati & Hong Fan

  2. Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China

    Jie Zhang

  3. West China Hospital/West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China

    Can Tian & Jin Huang

  4. Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China

    Yuling Xiao, Chao He & Hong Fan

  5. Department of Respiratory Medicine, 452 Military Hospital of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China

    Xiaobo Li

  6. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Guoxuexiang 37, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China

    Hong Fan

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  1. Yonggang Zhang
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  2. Jie Zhang
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  7. Amrit Bogati
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  8. Jin Huang
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  9. Hong Fan
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jin Huang or Hong Fan.

Additional information

Yonggang Zhang and Jie Zhang contributed equally to this work.

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Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Tian, C. et al. The −308 G/A polymorphism in TNF-α gene is associated with asthma risk: an update by meta-analysis. J Clin Immunol 31, 174–185 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-010-9477-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-010-9477-3

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