Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and vasculitis susceptibility: A meta-analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to vasculitis. MethodsMeta-analyses were conducted on the associations between the −634 C/G, +936 C/T, −1154 A/G, and −2578 A/C polymorphisms of VEGF and vasculitis. ResultsEight studies on VEGF polymorphisms and vasculitis involving 2740 subjects (vasculitis 834, controls 1906) were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF −634 C allele (OR=1.161, 95% CI=0.921–1.464, p=0.207) among study subjects. Meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF+936 T allele (OR=1.121, 95% CI=0.905–1.390, p=0.295). However, stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between the VEGF+936 T allele and vasculitis in Europeans, but not in Asians (OR=1.486, 95% CI=1.038–2.128, p=0.030; OR=0.958, 95% CI=0.773–1.253, p=0.755). Meta-analysis showed no association between vasculitis and the VEGF −1154 A/G and 2578 A/C polymorphisms. ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the VEGF+936 T allele is associated with susceptibility to vasculitis in Europeans, but not in Asians.