Interleukin Polymorphisms and Predisposition of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-Analysis

Background: It is plausible that interleukin polymorphisms may affect predisposition of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the results of so far published studies remain controversial. Objectives: The authors conducted this meta-analysis to clarify relationships between interleukin-1 (IL-1)/interleukin-4 (IL-4)/interleukin-6 (IL-6)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms and SLE by pooling the findings of eligible studies. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI was endorsed by the authors to identify already published studies. Fifty-seven studies were found to be eligible for meta-analyses. Results: The overall pooled meta-analyses yielded positive findings for IL-1A −889 C/T, IL-1B −31 T/C, IL-6 −174 G/C, IL-4 −590 C/T, and IL-10 −1,082 A/G polymorphisms. In addition, we also detected similar positive findings for IL-1B −511 C/T, IL-4 −590 C/T, IL-10 −592 A/C, IL-10 −819 C/T, and IL-10 −1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Asians, and such positive findings were also observed for IL-1A −889 C/T, IL-6 −174 G/C, and IL-10 −1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Caucasians. Conclusions: The meta-analyses’ results suggest that IL-1A −889 C/T, IL-1B −31 T/C, IL-6 −174 G/C, IL-4 −590 C/T, and IL-10 −1,082 A/G polymorphisms might affect predisposition of SLE.