Interleukin-10 -1082 G/A polymorphism and its association with early or severe presentation of coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine with potent deactivating properties on macrophages and T cells; and plays an important role in atherosclerotic plaque maturation and rupture. A guanine (G) to adenine (A) substitution in the IL-10 gene at −1082 bp (rs1800896) has been associated with reduced in IL-10 production in vitro. Against this background, we tested the association of IL-10 −1082G/A with early or severe presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD) using a systematic review and updated meta-analysis of published association studies. Materials and methods: Relevant studies were identified following a comprehensive online search on PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane library and Web of Science databases and stratified into two subgroups based on mode of CAD presentation: early or severe and non-severe. Study level odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using random effects employing a Z test. Results: A total of 24 studies were included for quantitative synthesis with a cumulative sample of 19,135 (11,143 cases / 7,992 controls). A significant association was derived for IL-10 −1082G/A and early or severe CAD via dominant, recessive, and allelic genetic model comparisons [OR 1.24 (95 % CI 1.02, 1.50), p = 0.03; OR 1.32 (95 % CI 1.03, 1.69), p = 0.03 and OR 1.18 (95 % CI 1.02, 1.36), p = 0.02 respectively]. In contrast, no significant association was seen for the pooled group or non-severe CAD subgroup (p = NS). Sensitivity analysis showed consistent results. Conclusions: IL-10 −1082G/A appears to be associated with early or severe presentation of CAD. Further studies are warranted to confirm this association.