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

<b><i>Background:</i></b> 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. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The authors conducted this meta-analysis to clarify relationships between interleukin-1 (<i>IL-1</i>)<i>/</i>interleukin-4 (<i>IL-4</i>)<i>/</i>interleukin-6 (<i>IL-6</i>)<i>/</i>interleukin-10 (<i>IL-10</i>) polymorphisms and SLE by pooling the findings of eligible studies. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 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. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The overall pooled meta-analyses yielded positive findings for <i>IL-1A</i> −889 C/T, <i>IL-1B</i> −31 T/C, <i>IL-6</i> −174 G/C, <i>IL-4</i> −590 C/T, and <i>IL-10</i> −1,082 A/G polymorphisms. In addition, we also detected similar positive findings for <i>IL-1B</i> −511 C/T, <i>IL-4</i> −590 C/T, <i>IL-10</i> −592 A/C, <i>IL-10</i> −819 C/T, and <i>IL-10</i> −1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Asians, and such positive findings were also observed for <i>IL-1A</i> −889 C/T, <i>IL-6</i> −174 G/C, and <i>IL-10</i> −1,082 A/G polymorphisms in Caucasians. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The meta-analyses’ results suggest that <i>IL-1A</i> −889 C/T, <i>IL-1B</i> −31 T/C, <i>IL-6</i> −174 G/C, <i>IL-4</i> −590 C/T, and <i>IL-10</i> −1,082 A/G polymorphisms might affect predisposition of SLE.