Interleukin-12B gene polymorphisms and bronchial asthma risk: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to investigate whether interleukin-12B (IL-12B) −1188A/C or the promoter polymorphisms may be a risk factor for asthma. Data Sources: Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases were searched (updated August 20, 2015). Study selections: Articles evaluating the association between IL-12B genetic polymorphisms and asthma risk were selected. Results: 13 eligible studies with a total of 5092 subjects were finally included in this meta-analysis. For IL-12B −1188A/C, analysis by ethnicity indicated that there was a markedly reduced risk for asthma in East Asian (CC + AC vs. AA: OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.50–0.81, P < 0.001). For IL-12B promoter, analysis by ethnicity indicated there was a markedly increased risk in East Asian (MM vs. WM + WW: OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.18–2.10, P = 0.002). Analysis by allergic state revealed the similar results in atopic subgroup. Conclusions: IL-12B −1188 C allele may be a protective factor against asthma in East Asian. In addition, promoter MM genotype may be a risk factor for asthma in East Asian and allergic people.

KEYWORDS:

• Asthma
• genetic
• IL-12B
• meta-analysis
• polymorphisms

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81330002).