Association between the HLA-DQA1 rs2187668 polymorphism and risk of idiopathic membranous nephropathy: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Numerous studies have evaluated the association between the rs2187668 polymorphism in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) complex class II HLA-DQ a-chain 1 (HLA-DQA1) gene and idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) risk, which provided new insight into potential new targets for the treatment of iMN. However, this relationship remains inconclusive. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between this polymorphism and iMN susceptibility by performing a meta-analysis. METHODS: Articles were identified in the PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochran Library databases. Meta-analyses were performed for rs2187668 allele frequency, genotypes, and the association with iMN susceptibility. Subgroup analyses, publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: 11 eligible studies (3209 cases and 7358 controls) from 7 articles were included. Statistical analyses were carried out using Stata 12.0, combining data from all the relevant studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) regarding the association between the HLA-DQA1 rs2187668 polymorphism and iMN risk were statistically significant [A vs G: OR = 3.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.70–4.13; AA vs GA + GG: OR = 8.69, 95% CI = 6.64–11.36; GG vs GA + AA: OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.19–0.33;AA vs GG: OR = 12.61, 95% CI = 8.02–19.81; GA vs GG: OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 2.79–4.25]. CONCLUSIONS: Our pooled analysis showed a significant association between rs2187668—(A) allele and iMN susceptibility, and the intervention of this mutation might bring new therapeutic strategy for iMN. However, further studies should be performed to confirm this finding.