Evaluating the HLA-G (rs1063320) genetic variant and risk of human papillomavirus infection: a meta-analysis of 953 cases and 877 controls

Abstract

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) has immune-modulatory functions. Although the role of genetic variant HLA-G (rs1063320) in susceptibility to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been widely considered, it is still a matter of discussion. In order to shed light on the issue, we, therefore, conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the common impact of the HLA-G (rs1063320) variant on susceptibility to HPV infection. Subsequently, the distribution of genotypes, genotyping techniques and ethnicity groups was collected, and general analyses were performed. A total number of five studies with 953 cases and 877 controls were found to meet our criteria. The polymorphism of HLA-G (rs1063320) was evaluated. This is the first meta-analysis to explore the connection between the HLA-G 3′ UTR + 3142C/G (rs1063320) genetic variant and the risk of HPV infection. Our results showed no association between the variant of HLA-G 3′ UTR + 3142C/G (rs1063320) and susceptibility to HPV infection in studied target populations.

Impact Statement

• What is already known on this subject? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most widespread sexually transmitted infection in both men and women all over the world. It is correlated with prominent load of diseases and malignancies, including anogenital warts and anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. In recent years, several studies manifested that different SNPs located on special genes seems to influence HPV infection risk.

• What the results of this study add? Our findings disclosed no relation between the variant of HLA-G 3′ UTR + 3142C/G (rs1063320) and vulnerability to HPV infection in the target individuals.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The findings in current survey may offer a basis for further study on HLA-G variant in future investigation.

Keywords:

• Meta-analysis
• HPV infections
• genetic polymorphism
• HLA-G antigens

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.