Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF- β1) gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in many studies, but there were still controversies with regard to their conclusions. METHODS: Relevant documents were retrieved from 5 electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, and China national knowledge infrastructure. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the relationship between TGF-β1 genetic variation and SLE. RESULTS: The present meta-analysis included 12 case-control studies with 1308 SLE patients and 1714 healthy controls. The results of the combined analyses showed that TGF-β1 C509T polymorphism showed no association with SLE risk (TC vs CC: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.91-1.48, PHeterogeneity (PH) = 0.579; TT vs CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.63-2.09, PH = 0.003; T vs C: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.8-1.45, PH = 0.003; TC/TT vs CC: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.93-1.46, PH = 0.133; and TT vs TC/CC: OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.64-1.76, PH = 0.004). TGF-β1 G915C and T869C polymorphisms were not linked with SLE risk. Moreover, subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium revealed no significant correlation of TGF-β1 T869C, C509T, G915C polymorphisms with SLE risk. CONCLUSION: TGF-β1 T869C, C509T, G915C polymorphisms might not be associated with the development of SLE.