The Impact of FOXP3 Polymorphism on the Risk of Allergic Rhinitis: A Meta-Analysis

Polymorphisms of several genes were reported to be associated with the risk of allergic rhinitis. Here, we first conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the potential genetic association between the polymorphisms of the FOXP3 (Forkhead Box P3) gene and the susceptibility to allergic rhinitis. A total of 2671 relevant articles were initially retrieved from the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, WANFANG/CNKI and Scopus, and six eligible case-control studies were finally enrolled in our meta-analysis, according to our strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Based on the extracted data, Mantel-Haenszel statistic, Cochrane's Q statistic, I² test, subgroup meta-analysis, Begg's test, Egger's test and sensitivity analysis were performed via Stata/SE 12.0 software. The results of the Mantel-Haenszel statistic regarding rs3761548 showed that no significant difference was observed in the allergic rhinitis case and population-based control group under the genetic models of A versus C, AA versus CC, CA+AA versus CC, AA versus CC+CA and carrier A versus C (all P-value of Association Test, P_A > 0.05), apart from CA versus CC (P_A =  0.020). The similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis of Asian. In addition, we did not obtain the positive result in the meta-analysis of rs2232365 (all P_A > 0.05). We also excluded the presence of large publication bias through Begg's test and Egger's test, and we confirmed the stability of data by sensitivity analysis. In summary, no significant association between rs3761548, rs2232365 polymorphisms of the FOXP3 gene, and an increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis was identified based on the published data; however, this conclusion should be confirmed by more studies with increased sample sizes.