Meta-analysis of the association of IL2RA polymorphisms rs2104286 and rs12722489 with multiple sclerosis risk

The interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL2RA) gene polymorphisms may be implicated in the genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS). This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the relationship of the IL2RA polymorphisms rs2104286 and rs12722489 with MS risk in different populations.

Eligible association studies were identified through search in Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus (end of search: August 2017). Summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models. All statistical analyses were two-sided.

Eleven studies including 8608 cases and 9061 controls evaluated rs2104286. The results demonstrated that the A allele of rs2104286 was associated with increased risk of MS in Caucasians (OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.13-1.25, p < 0.001) and Asians (OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.01-1.55, p = 0.041), respectively. Concerning rs12722489, six studies with 4259 cases and 5420 controls were eligible. We found that the C allele of rs12722489 was associated with elevated MS risk in Caucasians (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.12-1.29, p < 0.001) but not in Asians (OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 0.75-1.63, p = 0.629). Statistical evidence from the Egger and Begg tests showed absence of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis showed that the results were stable.

Our meta-analysis suggests that the rs2104286 A allele is associated with increased MS risk in both Caucasians and Asians, whereas the rs12722489 C allele is associated with elevated MS risk in Caucasians but not in Asians.