ADAM33 polymorphisms and susceptibility to allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis.

Several polymorphisms in a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) have been implicated in susceptibility to allergic rhinitis (AR), but the results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis was aimed to clarify the impact of ADAM33 polymorphisms on AR risk. Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane library were searched until 11 October 2013 for eligible studies on seven ADAM33 polymorphisms: T1, T2, S1, S2, V4, Q-1 and T+1. Data were extracted, and pooled odd ratios (ORs) as well as 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Six studies with 1,135 AR patients and 1,565 controls were included. It was found that ADAM33 T1 (AG+GG vs. AA, OR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.23-1.75, I (2) = 94 %; G vs. A, OR 1.53, 95 % CI 1.32-1.78, I (2) = 94 %), T2 (GA+AA vs. GG, OR 1.26, 95 % CI 1.06-1.51, I (2) = 92 %; G vs. A, OR 1.27, 95 % CI 1.08-1.50, I (2) = 92 %), V4 (CG+GG vs. CC OR 1.35, 95 % CI 1.14-1.59, I (2) = 95 %;G vs. C OR 1.28, 95 % CI 1.13-1.44, I (2) = 96 %) and Q-1 (GA+AA vs. GG OR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.24-1.95, I (2) = 74 %; G vs. C OR 1.46, 95 % CI 1.19-1.79, I (2) = 73 %) polymorphisms were significantly associated with AR susceptibility but not S1, S2 and T+1. In Asians, the same result was found. This meta-analysis indicated that ADAM33 T1, T2, V4 and Q-1 polymorphisms may be the risk factors which conferred to AR susceptibility. The differences in ethnicity did not influence the associations obviously. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions should be investigated in the future.