Meta analysis on the association between FcgammaRIIa-R/H131 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus

In order to study the association between FcgammaRIIa gene polymorphisms and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis, relevant studies were identified from electronic databases. A meta-analysis of relevant studies was performed for heterogeneity test and pooled OR calculation. When all groups were pooled, a significant association of FcgammaRIIa-R131 allele and increased SLE risk was found. But this association was not observed in lupus nephritis. In the subgroup analysis, a clear effect of R allele in SLE was shown in European and Asian subgroups. Similarly, RR homozygous genotype was found to be a risk factor of SLE and lupus nephritis. The association between RR genotype and SLE was shown in European and Asian descents. However, the association between RR genotype and lupus nephritis was not found in any ethnic subgroups. Taken together, our study suggests that the FcgammaRIIa-R/H131 polymorphism might contribute to the susceptibility to SLE and lupus nephritis.