Associations between ABO, FUT2 and chronic pancreatitis: A comprehensive meta-analysis of multiple cohorts and public biobanks.

OBJECTIVES

Associations of ABO blood group specifying transferases A/B (ABO) and fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) with CP remain inconclusive. We aimed to comprehensively investigate the associations by Chinese sequencing cohorts and external cohorts.

METHODS

First, we analyzed the distributions of ABO blood groups and FUT2 status, along with lead single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at ABO (rs8176693 C/T) and FUT2 (rs632111 A/G) gene loci in Chinese low-coverage whole-genome sequencing discovery cohort. Subsequently, we investigated the associations of CP with ABO and FUT2 SNPs in Chinese whole-exome sequencing validation cohort and three public biobanks (FinnGen, UK Biobank, and BioBank Japan). Finally, comprehensive meta-analysis was performed by integrating data from two Chinese cohorts, reported cohorts and public biobanks.

RESULTS

Firstly, in Chinese discovery cohort, the distribution of blood types in CP patients showed no significant difference compared to healthy controls, and similar results were observed in subgroup analyses and in meta-analysis with the reported cohorts. Secondly, results indicated no association between rs8176693 or rs632111 and CP in Chinese cohorts and meta-analysis of three biobanks, though ABO SNP was found to be significantly associated with CP in UK Biobank (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, P = 0.04). Finally, no association was observed between rs8176693 (OR = 1.03, P = 0.29) or rs632111 (OR = 1.04, P = 0.10) and CP in comprehensive meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between lead SNPs of ABO or FUT2 and CP in meta-analysis, nor was there an association between ABO blood group or FUT2 secretor status and CP in Chinese cohort. ABO and FUT2 might play limited role in CP development.