Association between two α-2-macroglobulin gene polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

Due to the controversial results in assessment of the association between α-2-Macroglobulin gene (A2M) polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (PD), we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between two A2M variants (rs669 and rs3832852) and PD.

All eligible studies were retrieved in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and PDGene databases. Data were extracted by two investigators independently. All the four genetic models were used for rs669 and rs3832852.

A total of 877 PD patients and 1296 controls from six studies were included for rs669 polymorphisms. The combined odds ratio (OR) indicated that rs669 polymorphisms were likely associated increased risk of PD only in dominant genetic models (OR = 1.41, CI = 1.03-1.92), especially in Asian subgroup (OR = 1.97, CI = 1.03-3.75). Five studies containing 772 PD patients and 1178 controls were identified for rs3832852 polymorphisms. The result suggested that rs3832852 polymorphisms were not associated with PD in all genetic models.

Our data indicate that the rs669 (A/G) polymorphisms in A2M gene are associated with increased risk in PD. To further validate the association of A2M polymorphisms with PD, more studies with larger samples are required.