Association between K469E polymorphism of ICAM‐1 gene and susceptibility of ischemic stroke: An updated meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: The intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1)/leukocyte function associated antigen‐1 (LFA‐1) adhesion system regulates leukocyte interactions, migration, and adhesion, and appears to play an important role in atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Therefore, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ICAM‐1 gene may strongly influence the expression and biological activity of ICAM‐1 and play a potentially important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. In the current meta‐analysis, we investigated the relationship between the ICAM‐1 gene K469E SNP and the risk of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, WANFANG, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and J‐STAGE for studies published from January 2000 to February 2019 without language restriction. The association of K469E polymorphism and ischemic stroke in three genetic models (allelic, recessive, and dominant) were evaluated using Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Our study included 20 studies from four continents and four different countries, including 3,137 cases and 15,382 controls. Meta‐analysis results did not show a significant association between K469E polymorphism of ICAM‐1 gene and ischemic stroke when assuming allelic model (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.8 to 1.55; p = 0.51; I (2) = 93%) or recessive model (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.84; p = 0.18; I (2) = 82%) or dominant model (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.56; p = 0.17; I (2) = 85%). However, in all three genetic models, subgroup analysis revealed that the K469E polymorphism of the ICAM‐1 gene is associated with ischemic stroke in the Caucasian population. CONCLUSION: K469E polymorphism of ICAM‐1 gene might be a risk factor for ischemic stroke in Caucasians, which suggested that K469E polymorphism might help in early identification of those at risk and help in primary prevention of ischemic stroke.