Single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-13 and CD14 genes in allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-13 (IL-13) and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) genes and the risk for allergic rhinitis (AR).

We screened studies identified through seven databases including Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, China Biology Medicine disc, Wanfang, and China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined to assess the association under allelic, dominant and recessive models.

Twelve studies with a total of 8547 participants (3223 cases and 5324 controls) investigated IL-13 SNP rs20541, five studies combining 4580 participants (1411 cases and 3169 controls) examined IL-13 SNP rs1800925, and nine studies with 2301 participants (1174 cases and 1127 controls) assessed CD14 SNP rs2569190. We found that the A allele of IL-13 SNP rs20541 was associated with an increased risk of AR (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.28, P < 0.001). Stratifying studies by ethnic group produced significant results in Asians (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11-1.32, P < 0.001), but not in Caucasians (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00-1.30, P = 0.051). No association of IL-13 SNP rs1800925 and CD14 SNP rs2569190 with AR risk was found in either Asians or Caucasians (P > 0.05).

Our findings suggest that IL-13 SNP rs20541 is significantly associated with AR risk in Asians but not in Caucasians. However, the accumulating evidence does not support an association of IL-13 SNP rs1800925 and CD14 SNP rs2569190 with AR risk.