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Association between CD40 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus and correlation between soluble CD40 and CD40
1Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
This meta-analysis found that CD40 gene polymorphisms are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility. Soluble CD40 (sCD40) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Immunogenetics
- Rheumatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with a poorly understood genetic basis.
- The CD40 pathway plays a crucial role in immune regulation and B-cell activation, making it a potential factor in SLE pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between CD40 gene polymorphisms and SLE risk.
- To investigate the relationship between soluble CD40 (sCD40) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels and SLE.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted on fourteen studies.
- Examined specific CD40 polymorphisms (rs4810495, rs1883832, rs376545) in relation to SLE risk.
- Analyzed sCD40 and sCD40L levels in SLE patients versus healthy controls, with ethnicity-specific stratification.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between CD40 polymorphisms (rs4810495, rs1883832, rs376545) and SLE susceptibility.
- The T allele of CD40 rs4810485 was linked to increased SLE risk in Europeans.
- sCD40 and sCD40L levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients across multiple ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- CD40 gene polymorphisms contribute to SLE susceptibility.
- Elevated levels of sCD40 and sCD40L are biomarkers for SLE.
- These findings highlight the CD40 pathway's importance in SLE pathogenesis.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence regarding the association between CD40 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus and between soluble CD40 (sCD40) and CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Methods:
We performed a meta-analysis on the association between CD40 rs4810495, rs1883832, and rs376545 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus risk and sCD40/sCD40L levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and controls.
Results:
Fourteen studies were included. Ethnicity-specific meta-analysis indicated a significant association between the T allele of CD40 rs4810485 polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus in Europeans (odds ratio = 0.715, 95% confidence interval = 0.641-0.832, p < 0.001) and a trend toward an association between the T allele and systemic lupus erythematosus in Asians (odds ratio = 1.255, 95% confidence interval = 0.978-1.810, p = 0.074). Furthermore, a significant association was reported between systemic lupus erythematosus and the C allele of CD40 rs1883832 polymorphism (odds ratio = 1.235, 95% confidence interval = 1.087-1.405, p = 0.001) and A allele of CD40 rs3765456 polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus in Asians (odds ratio = 1.184, 95% confidence interval = 1.040-1.348, p = 0.011). sCD40 and sCD40L levels were significantly higher in SLE than in controls (standardized mean difference = 1.564, 95% confidence interval = 0.256-2.872, p = 0.019 and standardized mean difference = 1.499, 95% confidence interval = 1.031-1.967, p < 0.001, respectively). Stratification based on ethnicity revealed higher sCD40L levels in the systemic lupus erythematosus group among European, Asian, North American, and Arab populations.
Conclusions:
Our meta-analyses found associations between CD40 rs4810495, rs1883832, and rs376545 polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility and significantly higher sCD40 and sCD40L levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus than in controls.

