TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism increases susceptibility to autoimmune diseases: evidence based on 4200 subjects

Conflicting results have been reported regarding differing studies on the association between T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 polymorphisms and autoimmune disease. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association of TIM-3 rs1036199 (4259 G/T) polymorphism with autoimmune disease susceptibility. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain a more precise evaluation of the association. Ten eligible studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases, and statistical analyses were performed using STATA software. The pooled results indicated that TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of overall autoimmune disease in allele comparison (G versus T: OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.17-2.17) and heterozygous comparison (GT versus TT: OR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.37-2.06). Subgroup analyses based on disease type demonstrated that TIM-3 rs1036199 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of rheumatic arthritis (G versus T: OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.45-2.44; GT versus TT: OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.53-2.65), especially in Asian populations.