Association between polymorphisms in microRNAs and ischemic stroke in an Asian population: evidence based on 6,083 cases and 7,248 controls

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms in miR-146a (rs2910164), miR-196a2 (rs11614913), miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-499 (rs3746444) have been associated with ischemic stroke (IS), but studies have given inconsistent results. METHODS: This meta-analysis investigated the possible association between IS risk and the four polymorphisms. A total of 14 case-control studies from Asian populations involving 6,083 cases and 7,248 controls for the four polymorphisms were included. RESULTS: Results showed that the GG genotype of miR-146a (rs2910164) may be associated with increased IS risk according to the recessive model (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.02–1.42, P=0.03). Similarly, the CC genotype of miR-149 (rs2292832) may be associated with increased IS risk according to the recessive model (OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.08–1.52, P=0.005) and the homozygous model (OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.09–1.58, P=0.004). In contrast, miR-196a2 (rs11614913) and miR-499 (rs3746444) polymorphisms did not show significant association with IS risk in any of the five genetic models. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the GG genotype of miR-146a (rs2910164) and CC genotype of miR-149 (rs2292832) may confer increased susceptibility to IS, while miR-196a2 (rs11614913) and miR-499 (rs3746444) polymorphisms may not be associated with IS risk in Asian populations. These conclusions should be verified in large and well-designed studies.