Association between IGF2BP2 rs4402960 polymorphism and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis

Genome-wide association studies recently found IGF2BP2 rs4402960 polymorphism associated with enhanced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Numerous studies have been published to replicate the association. However, results were inconsistent and inconclusive. To clarify the relationship of IGF2BP2 rs4402960 polymorphism and T2DM, we conducted this meta-analysis.

We searched PubMed for all eligible studies up to February 2011. Forty eight independent study groups from 28 case-control studies and two prospective studies were identified. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidential interval (95% CI) were adopted to evaluate the association.

The pooled results indicated that the rs4402960 polymorphism of the IGF2BP2 gene was related to increased risk of T2DM for T allele vs. G allele (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.11-1.15) under additive genetic model. Significant associations were also found under dominant (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.14-1.20) and recessive (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.15-1.25) genetic models. There was no significant heterogeneity among all studies. Subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity showed that significant increased risks were observed in European, East Asian and South Asian populations, and the effect sizes were similar. For Africans, no significant association was detected under all genetic models.

Our meta-analysis suggested that IGF2BP2 rs4402960 polymorphism conferred elevated risk of T2DM, especially in European, East Asian and South Asian populations.