Association of the interleukin-10 gene polymorphism (–1082A/G) with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

Objective: The interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphism (–1082A/G) has been shown to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but findings are not consistent across studies. The aim of our meta-analysis was to assess the association between the –1082A/G polymorphism in the IL-10 gene and SLE. Methods: We searched all publications on the association between the IL-10 (−1082A/G) polymorphism and SLE in PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang (Chinese). Meta-analysis was conducted using software Stata version 10.1. Meta-odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on fixed-/random-effects models depended on Cochran’s Q-statistic and I2 values. Results: A total of 17 studies with 2396 cases and 3653 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for genotypes GG versus AA, GG + AG versus AA, GG versus AG + AA, and G allele versus A allele. Significant differences were found in genotype distribution between SLE and normal controls in whole-population GG versus AA (OR = 1.428, 95% CI = 1.006–2.208). Similar results were detected in the dominant genetics effect of the G allele (OR = 1.202, 95% CI = 1.030–1.403). No significant association was found in allele distribution in whole-population G versus A (OR = 1.125, 95% CI = 0.998–1.269). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant association was found when GG + AG versus AA was performed in a European population (OR = 1.240, 95% CI = 1.022–1.503) and GG versus AG + AA was performed in an Asian population (OR = 3.596, 95% CI = 1.389–9.311). Significant association was found between genotype distribution in Asians (OR = 4.491, 95% CI = 1.552–13.000). Publication year was detected as the source of heterogeneity. In the stratified analysis by publication year, the pooled OR was 1.049 (95% CI = 0.940–1.171; Pheterogeneity = 0.431; I2 = 0.4%) in subgroup 1 (publication years 1999–2004). No significant association was found between the IL-10 (−1082 G) allele and SLE in subgroup 1 (Z = 0.85, p = 0.431). In subgroup 2 (publication years 2005–2011), the pooled OR was 1.327 (95% CI = 1.125–1.565; Pheterogeneity = 0.143; I2 = 35.8%). Significant association was found between the IL-10 (−1082 G) allele and SLE (Z = 3.36, p = 0.001). Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates the association between the IL-10 (−1082A/G) polymorphism and SLE. However, further studies are ne