The association between IL18 , FOXP3 and IL13 genes polymorphisms and risk of allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis

Objectives Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease of nasal mucosa. Loss of function of Th17 cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells plays a role in the pathogenesis of AR. IL18, FOXP3, and IL13 are key genes in the development of AR. However, the genetic associations between IL18, FOXP3 and IL13 genes polymorphisms and AR risk were inconclusive yet. Methods A meta-analysis was performed by searching through Pubmed, EMBASE, web of science and CNKI databases. The ORs and 95%CIs were used to assess the genetic association between the allelic, dominant and recessive models of IL18 , FOXP3 and IL13 genes polymorphisms and AR risk. Results A total of 15 articles (6 for FOXP3 , 5 for IL18 , and 5 for IL13 ) were enrolled in the present study. No association was detected between the IL18 rs187238, rs1946518, rs360721, FOXP3 rs2232365, rs3761548 and IL13 rs1800925 polymorphisms and AR risk ( p > 0.05). Significant associations were observed between the allelic ( p = 0.001, OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.12–1.56), dominant ( p = 0.005, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.83) and recessive models ( p = 0.01, OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.13, 2.40) of IL13 rs20541 and AR risk. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity revealed that the IL13 rs20541 was significantly associated with AR risk in Asian population (allelic model: p = 0.009, OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.13–1.63, dominant model: p = 0.005, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.83; recessive model: p = 0.01, OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.13–2.40). Conclusions IL13 rs20541 may contribute to the risk of AR in Asian population. To confirm these results, larger number of case–control study with more subjects is necessary in the future.