Objective: To evaluate systematically the association between TBX21 gene polymorphisms (rs17250932, rs2240017, and rs4794067) and the risk of autoimmune diseases in Asian populations.
Methods: The Medline, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were used to retrieve eligible studies that were published before July 2020. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by using the dominant model, heterozygote contrast model, and allelic contrast model. Publication bias was evaluated using contour-enhanced funnel plots and Egger's regression test. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the robustness of this meta-analysis.
Results: A total of 12 eligible studies, including 3834 patients and 4824 healthy controls, were recruited in this meta-analysis. The pooled data demonstrated that TBX21 rs2240017 and rs4794067 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of autoimmune diseases in Asian populations in allelic contrast model (OR: 1.456, 95% CI: 1.131-1.875, P = 0.004; OR: 0.766, 95% CI: 0.615-0.954, P = 0.017), heterozygote comparison model (OR: 1.647, 95% CI: 1.239-2.189, P = 0.001; OR: 0.796, 95% CI: 0.634-0.999, P = 0.049), and dominant model (OR: 1.572, 95% CI: 1.194-2.071, P = 0.004; OR: 0.767, 95% CI: 0.607-0.970, P = 0.027). The G allele of rs2240017 may be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases, and the T allele of rs4794067 may increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. However, we failed to find evidence of the association between TBX21 rs17250932 polymorphism and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. No publication bias was established in this meta-analysis.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that TBX21 rs2240017 and rs4794067 polymorphism confer susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, but not rs17250932.
Keywords: TBX21; autoimmune diseases; meta-analysis; polymorphism.