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Published on: January 22, 2020
The Expression Level of FOXO3a in Patients With Autoimmune Diseases: A Meta-analysis
Shanshan Xu, Xiaoyi Zhang1, Yubo Ma
1Department of Health Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University.
Methods:
PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were used to retrieve relevant articles. The pooled standard mean difference with 95% confidence interval was calculated.
Results:
Totally, 10 studies from 7 publications were included. The levels of FOXO3a were significantly decreased in patients with autoimmune diseases compared with healthy controls (standard mean difference, -1.045; 95% confidence interval, -1.892 to -0.197). When stratified by disease, FOXO3a levels were significantly decreased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but were significantly increased in systemic lupus erythematosus. FOXO3a levels of specific tissues or cells in patients with autoimmune diseases were significantly decreased, but no significant difference was observed in the subgroup of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In the subgroup analysis combining disease and sample, significant differences of FOXO3a were observed in non-PMBCs of RA and IBD patients.
Conclusions:
Our study indicated that FOXO3a were significantly decreased in patients with autoimmune diseases. FOXO3a levels was a potential therapeutic target of autoimmune diseases.
Insights
FOXO3a levels are significantly decreased in most autoimmune diseases, suggesting it could be a therapeutic target. However, levels increased in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autoimmune diseases involve immune system dysregulation.
- The role of FOXO3a in autoimmune pathogenesis is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the role of FOXO3a in autoimmune diseases.
- To determine if FOXO3a levels differ between patients with autoimmune diseases and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure.
- Meta-analysis using pooled standard mean difference with 95% confidence intervals.
Main Results:
- Included 10 studies from 7 publications.
- FOXO3a levels were significantly decreased in autoimmune disease patients compared to controls (SMD -1.045).
- Decreased FOXO3a in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, increased in systemic lupus erythematosus. Significant decrease in non-peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Conclusions:
- FOXO3a is significantly altered in autoimmune diseases, generally decreased.
- FOXO3a represents a potential therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases.

