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Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms in TNF‑α‑308G/A rs1800629 associated with susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis

  • Authors:
    • Yun-Lu Wang
    • Xi-Yong Li
    • Lun Liu
    • Song-Feng Li
    • Peng-Fei Han
    • Xiao-Dong Li
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 13, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12567
  • Article Number: 279
  • Copyright: © Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

To investigate the association of gene polymorphisms of TNF‑α‑308G/A rs1800629 with the susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), literature from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI databases was searched. Two authors screened the literature independently, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, five genetic models were established: The allelic model (A vs. G), dominant model (GA + AA vs. GG), recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA), co‑dominant model (AA vs. GG) and super‑dominant model (GG + AA vs. GA). Stata 17.0 software was used for the meta‑analysis. A total of 34 eligible studies with 12,611 subjects were included, including 6,030 cases in the RA group and 6,581 controls. Meta‑analysis calculations revealed that the genetic polymorphisms of TNF‑α‑308G/A rs1800629 were not significantly associated with susceptibility to RA, with an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each genetic model [A vs. G: 0.937 (0.762‑1.152); GA + AA vs. GG: 0.918 (0.733‑1.148); AA vs. GG + GA: 1.131 (0.709‑1.802); AA vs. GG: 1.097 (0.664‑1.813); and GG + AA vs. GA: 1.108 (0.894‑1.373)]. For the association between TNF‑α‑308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and the severity of RA, the results of subgroup analysis calculations showed that TNF‑α‑308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms were associated with the severity of RA in European populations, with the gene model and 95% CI [GA + AA vs. GG: 0.503 (0.297‑0.853); and GG + AA vs. GA: 2.268 (1.434‑3.590)]. When assessing the confidence in the positive results of the present study through the false‑positive report probability, the positive results were observed to be reliable. No significant association was observed between genetic polymorphisms in TNF‑α‑308G/A rs1800629 and susceptibility to RA. However, a significant association exists with the severity of RA in European populations.

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, chronic autoimmune joint disease characterized by synovial inflammation, pannus formation and joint damage as major pathological features. The global incidence of RA is 0.5-1% (1). RA is characterized by chronic systemic inflammation, which mainly affects the joint synovial tissue, eventually leading to joint destruction, functional disability and even death, severely affecting the quality of life of patients (2). The etiology and pathogenesis of RA remain largely unknown. Currently, it is considered by most scholars that this is the result of the combined effects of genetics, environment, infection and other factors, leading to an imbalance in immune regulation and the induction of a series of joint tissue inflammations (3). It has been hypothesized that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 is closely related to the pathogenesis and severity of RA (4,5), while other studies consider that there is no relationship between the two (6,7). Different studies produced different results (4-7), which may be related to the sample size, quality and whether the frequency of the control genotype conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (8). Therefore, the current meta-analysis of the two aspects of susceptibility and severity of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 and RA was conducted to obtain reliable theoretical support and research results and provide evidence-based medical evidence for in-depth research on genetic susceptibility.

Materials and methods

Search policy

The PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), EMBASE (https://www.embase.com), Web of Science (https://www.webofscience.com/wos) and CNKI (https://www.cnki.net/) databases were employed. The key words searched were: ‘rheumatoid arthritis’, ‘TNF-α’ and ‘polymorphism’. The search strategy was as follows: (polymorphism or variant or variation or mutation or SNP or genome-wide association study or genetic association study or genotype or allele) AND (rheumatoid arthritis) OR (RA) AND (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) OR (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) OR (Cachectin) OR (Cachectin-Tumor Necrosis Factor) OR (Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 2) OR (Tumor Necrosis Factor) OR (TNFalpha) OR (TNF-alpha) OR (TNF-α). The search period ranged from the establishment of each database until May 2023.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: i) The study participants were patients with RA, and there were clear diagnostic criteria; ii) the type of study was a case-control study or a cohort study; iii) the research content was the relationship between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility or severity of RA; iv) the study included complete genotype and allele frequency data and inclusion or availability to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); v) the control group conformed to HWE.

The exclusion criteria were as follows: i) Duplicate publications; ii) no health control studies; iii) studies with incomplete data or an inability to calculate OR and 95% CI; and iv) animal experimental literature.

Data extraction

Two authors independently screened and extracted the data; in cases of disagreement, a third author decided. Missing data were supplemented as much as possible by contacting the authors of the studies. The data extracted included: i) First author and year of publication; ii) country, geographic region, sex composition, mean age and diagnostic criteria of the study subjects; iii) sample size, allele and genotype frequency of the RA and control groups; and iv) whether they conformed to the HWE.

Literature quality evaluation criteria

The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) evaluated the quality of the literature. The NOS scale includes three dimensions with a total of eight items: Four items for study object selection, one item for intergroup comparability and three items for outcome measurement. In addition to the comparability item, the highest score was two points, and the other items could reach up to one point, with a score range of 0 to 9 points. The higher the overall score, the higher the quality of the study. The NOS score is divided into three grades: Low, medium and high quality, namely <5 points, 5-7 points and ≥8 points (9).

Statistical methods

The present study was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (10). The meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 (StataCorp LP). Using OR and its 95% CI to assess the strength of the association between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and the risk and severity of RA, P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane's Q test and I2 values, and pooled analyses were performed using a random-effects model when I2≤50% between study groups. When heterogeneity could not be completely eliminated, a random-effects model was also used. The following five genetic models were used for comparison: Allele, dominant, recessive, co-dominant and super-dominant models. Subgroup analysis was carried out for further research. The subgroups were divided into: Asian, South American, European, North American and African groups according to the source of the patient. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by excluding literature on a case-by-case basis to observe the effect of each study on the overall effect size or by using Stata 17.0 to assess the robustness of the results. Funnel plots were only used to visualize publication bias for the number of included studies ≥10. Publication bias was detected using Egger's test, and no publication bias was considered when P>0.05(11).

Results

Search results

According to the search strategy, 1,862 relevant studies were retrieved from the databases, duplicate publications were removed, and 34 studies were screened in combination with the aforementioned inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA included 6,030 cases in the RA group and 6,581 cases in the control group. TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and the severity of RA included 483 cases in the RA group and 545 cases in the control group. The selection process and results of the included studies are demonstrated in Fig. 1.

Basic information included in the literature

The basic characteristics of the included studies and the NOS score results are presented in Table I. The specific sample size, genotype and allele frequency included in the study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA are shown in Table II. Of the studies included in the meta-analysis, 16 were conducted in the Asian population, four in the South American population, 10 in the European population, three in the North American population and one in the African population. The specific sample size, genotype and allele frequency included in the study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and the severity of RA are presented in Table III. Of the studies included in the meta-analysis, one was conducted in North Americans, three in Asians and two in Europeans.

Table I

Basic characteristics of the included studies and NOS scores.

Table I

Basic characteristics of the included studies and NOS scores.

 CasesControls 
First author/yearCountryEthnicitySexNAgeDiagnosisMatchingNAgeHWEHealthyNOS score(Refs.)
Al-rayes et al, 2011Saudi ArabiaAsiaM&F10649.0±12.9ACRAge and Sex12648.0±11.5YY8(12)
Aranda et al, 2014ArgentinaSouth AmericaM&F22356.0±60.6ACRAge and Sex111NAYY7(13)
Ates et al, 2008TurkeyEuropeM&F9850.8±12.0ACRAge and Sex12257.0±6.0YY8(14)
Boechat et al, 2013BrazilSouth AmericaM&F13148.5±12.4ACRAge and Sex19249.2±12.1YY8(5)
Brinkman et al, 1997NetherlandsEuropeM&F283NAACRSex116NAYY7(15)
Carreón et al, 2005MexicoNorth AmericaM&F133NAACRSex162NAYY7(16)
Chen et al, 2007ChinaAsiaM&F36751.8±13.8ACRAge and Sex27146.2±3.9YY8(17)
Correa et al, 2005ColombiaSouth AmericaM&F16546.0±12.7ACRAge and Sex43049.0±15.0YY8(18)
Cuenca et al, 2003ChileSouth AmericaM&F9251.1±11.7ACRAge and Sex4236.3±16.5YY8(19)
Danis et al, 1994BritainEuropeM&F34NAARASex57NAYY7(20)
Das et al, 2019IndiaAsiaM&F12645.96±12.0ACR and EULARAge and Sex16024.63±10.0YY8(21)
Emonts et al, 2011NetherlandsEuropeM&F37559.3±13.7ACRAge and Sex46139.1±8.5YY8(22)
Fugger et al, 1989DenmarkEuropeM&F24NAARASex131NAYY7(23)
Guo et al, 2012ChinaAsiaM&F45247.12±15.36ACRAge and Sex35647.65±13.25YY8(24)
Hussein et al, 2011Saudi ArabiaAsiaF17247.39±9.3ACRAge and Sex16049.35±8.7YY6(25)
Jahid et al, 2017IndiaAsiaM&F18737.6±9.1ACRAge and Sex21438.4±10.1YY8(4)
Li et al, 2014ChinaAsiaM&F25650.26±12.86ACR and EULARAge and Sex33148.08±13.92YY8(26)
Li et al, 2015ChinaAsiaM&F11249.66±12.02ACRAge and Sex12947.92±8.27YY8(27)
Lv et al, 2011ChinaAsiaM&F9840.3±4.8ACRAge and Sex100NAYY7(28)
Manolova et al, 2014BulgariaEuropeM&F10855.0±11.2ACRAge and Sex17747.5±14.0YY8(29)
Nemec et al, 2008Czech RepublicEuropeM&F130NAACRSex150NAYY7(30)
Pawlik et al, 2005PolandEuropeM&F9151.7±147.4ACRAge and Sex10548.9±154.5YY8(31)
Pérez et al, 2017MexicoNorth AmericaM&F8047.21±13.3ACRAge and Sex8048.8±9.86YY8(32)
Rezaieyazdi et al, 2007IranAsiaM&F3447.3±13.8ACRAge and Sex30NAYY7(33)
Sandoval et al, 2017MexicoNorth AmericaM&F49951.0±12.6ACR-EULARAge and Sex49250.0±7.8YY8(7)
Shafia et al, 2016IndiaAsiaM&F150NAACRSex200NAYY7(34)
Snezhana et al, 2009Republic of MacedoniaEuropeM&F84NAACRSex301NAYY7(35)
Sun et al, 2013ChinaAsiaM&F51954.72±15.27ACRAge and Sex52054.17±10.50YY8(6)
Vinasco et al, 1997SpainEuropeM&F60NAACRSex102NAYY7(36)
Wang et al, 2015ChinaAsiaM&F11345.0±10.0ACRAge and Sex126NAYY7(37)
Wang et al, 2022ChinaAsiaM&F14451.0±66.7ACRAge and Sex12242.0±50.2YY8(38)
Yen et al, 2013ChinaAsiaM&F97NAACRSex97NAYY7(39)
You et al, 2013ChinaAsiaM&F45247.08+15.36ACR-EULARAge and Sex37347.35+14.37YY8(40)
Zaghlol et al, 2018EgyptAfricaM&F3545.63±13.93ACR-EULARAge and Sex3540.51±12.63YY8(41)

[i] M, Male; F, Female; NA, not available; ACR, American College of Rheumatology, ARA, American Rheumatism Association, EULAR, European League Against Rheumatism; HWE, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; Y, Yes.

Table II

Sample size, genotype and allele frequency in rheumatoid arthritis and control groups in susceptibility studies.

Table II

Sample size, genotype and allele frequency in rheumatoid arthritis and control groups in susceptibility studies.

 Number of samplesGenotypes of casesAlleles of cases Genotypes of controlsAlleles of controls 
First author/YearCountryEthnicityCasesControlsTotalG/GG/AA/AGAMinor allele frequencyG/GG/AA/AGAMinor allele frequency(Refs.)
Al-rayes et al, 2011Saudi ArabiaAsia10612623268353171410.239766082634815174780.448275862(12)
Aranda et al, 2014ArgentinaSouth America223111334174454393530.13486005186241196260.132653061(13)
Ates et al, 2008TurkeyEurope9812222073250171250.14619883101210223210.094170404(14)
Boechat et al, 2013BrazilSouth America131192323109220240220.091666667159330351330.094017094(5)
Brinkman et al, 1997NetherlandsEurope2831163991957711467990.21199143566455177550.310734463(15)
Carreón et al, 2005MexicoNorth America133162295113173243230.094650206148140310140.04516129(16)
Chen et al, 2007ChinaAsia367271638338290705290.041134752232363500420.084(17)
Correa et al, 2005ColombiaSouth America165430595109524270600.222222222338875763970.127129751(18)
Cuenca et al, 2003ChileSouth America924213471201162220.13580246938408040.05(19)
Danis et al, 1994BritainEurope3457911713447210.44680851144130101130.128712871(20)
Das et al, 2019IndiaAsia12616028668580194580.298969072120400280400.142857143(21)
Emonts et al, 2011NetherlandsEurope37546183624811986151350.219512195300147147471750.234270415(22)
Fugger et al, 1989DenmarkEurope24131155156336120.33333333363608186760.408602151(23)
Guo et al, 2012ChinaAsia452356808422300874300.034324943307490663490.073906486(24)
Hussein et al, 2011Saudi ArabiaAsia172160332134362304400.131578947150100310100.032258065(25)
Jahid et al, 2017IndiaAsia1872144011086910285890.312280702147625356720.202247191(4)
Li et al, 2014ChinaAsia256331587246100502100.019920319290401620420.067741935(26)
Li et al, 2015ChinaAsia1121292411048021680.037037037104232231270.116883117(27)
Lv et al, 2011ChinaAsia98100198944019240.02083333386140186140.075268817(28)
Manolova et al, 2014BulgariaEurope10817728583241190260.136842105135402310440.141935484(29)
Nemec et al, 2008Czech RepublicEurope13015028093361222380.171171171121290271290.10701107(30)
Pawlik et al, 2005PolandEurope9110519674170165170.10303030377253179310.173184358(31)
Pérez et al, 2017MexicoNorth America808016066140146140.09589041168120148120.081081081(32)
Rezaieyazdi et al, 2007IranAsia34306429506350.07936507929105910.016949153(33)
Sandoval et al, 2017MexicoNorth America499492991457393953450.047219307447432937470.050160085(7)
Shafia et al, 2016IndiaAsia150200350129210279210.075268817166340366340.092896175(34)
Snezhana et al, 2009Republic of MacedoniaEurope8430138567152149190.127516779231664528740.140151515(35)
Sun et al, 2013ChinaAsia5195201039456630975630.064615385446704962780.081081081(6)
Vinasco et al, 1997SpainEurope6010216243143100200.284162184200.108695652(36)
Wang et al, 2015ChinaAsia11312623990230203230.113300493104220230220.095652174(37)
Wang et al, 2022ChinaAsia1441222661359027990.0322580651148023680.033898305(38)
Yen et al, 2013ChinaAsia9797194943019130.01570680672232167270.161676647(39)
You et al, 2013ChinaAsia452373825422300874300.034324943323500696500.07183908(40)
Zaghlol 2018EgyptAfrica35357030326370.1111111111916054160.296296296(41)

Table III

Sample size, genotype and allele frequency in RA and control groups in the severity study.

Table III

Sample size, genotype and allele frequency in RA and control groups in the severity study.

 Number of samplesGenotypes of Severe RAAlleles of Severe RA Genotypes of non-severe RAAlleles of non-severe RA 
First author/YearCountryEthnicitySevere RANon-severe RATotalG/GG/AA/AGAMinor allele frequencyG/GG/AA/AGAMinor allele frequency(Refs.)
Carreón et al, 2005MexicoNorth America4687133358378140.179487179789016590.054545455(16)
Das et al, 2019IndiaAsia1121412659530171530.309941529502350.217391304(21)
Emonts et al, 2011NetherlandsEurope12025037089265204360.176470588156913403970.240694789(22)
Hussein et al, 2011Saudi ArabiaAsia60112172528011280.07142857182282192320.166666667(25)
Lv et al, 2011ChinaAsia31679830106110.016393443643013130.022900763(28)
Nemec et al, 2008Czech RepublicEurope1141512985281198300.1515151527802280.363636364(30)

[i] RA, rheumatoid arthritis.

Results of the meta-analysis. TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA

A total of 34 studies were included in the present analysis. Significant study heterogeneity was observed in allele, dominant and super-dominant models (I2≥50%, P<0.05); therefore, random-effect models were used for analysis. Other genetic models were less heterogeneous and were also analyzed using random-effect models (I2<50%, P>0.05). No significant association between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA was observed in the five gene models (P>0.05). After subgroup analysis, no clear association was observed among the different geographic regions. Detailed data is listed in Table IV.

Table IV

Summary of associations between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis.

Table IV

Summary of associations between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis.

 Test of associationTests for heterogeneityEgger's test
Genetic modelPopulationNumber of studiesOR (95% CI)P-value PhI2 (%) PE
A vs. GOverall340.937 (0.762-1.152)0.539<0.00179.10.769
 Asia160.720 (0.494-1.050)0.088<0.00185.2 
 South America41.357 (0.916-2.010)0.1280.10750.8 
 Europe101.100 (0.837-1.447)0.4940.00265.0 
 North America31.261 (0.770-2.064)0.3570.14847.6 
 Africa10.375 (0.144-0.979)0.045-- 
GA + AA vs. GGOverall340.918 (0.733-1.148)0.452<0.00178.70.695
 Asia160.731 (0.490-1.091)0.125<0.00185.0 
 South America41.383 (0.881-2.171)0.1590.07856.0 
 Europe101.060 (0.786-1.430)0.7040.00562.2 
 North America31.174 (0.762-1.809)0.4660.24928.0 
 Africa10.198 (0.062-0.629)0.006-- 
AA vs. GG + GAOverall341.131 (0.709-1.802)0.6050.13225.40.849
 Asia160.457 (0.148-1.413)0.1740.05449.5 
 South America41.993 (0.682-5.823)0.2070.9730.0 
 Europe101.198 (0.686-2.092)0.5260.3648.5 
 North America32.379 (0.512-11.044)0.2690.3170.1 
 Africa15.299 (0.245-114.465)0.288-- 
AA vs. GGOverall341.097 (0.664-1.813)0.7180.06233.30.853
 Asia160.426 (0.123-1.473)0.1780.02057.8 
 South America42.241 (0.765-6.568)0.1410.9640.0 
 Europe101.148 (0.628-2.098)0.6540.29916.1 
 North America32.458 (0.489-12.357)0.2750.3016.4 
 Africa13.197 (0.146-70.190)0.461-- 
GG + AA vs. GAOverall341.108 (0.894-1.373)0.348<0.00175.70.467
 Asia161.314 (0.898-1.923)0.159<0.00183.1 
 South America40.750 (0.482-1.167)0.2020.09453.1 
 Europe100.997 (0.759-1.310)0.9820.02752.1 
 North America30.946 (0.666-1.345)0.7580.4310.0 
 Africa18.982 (2.311-34.910)0.002-- 

[i] OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and severity of RA. A total of six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Significant study heterogeneity was observed in allele models, dominant gene models and super-dominant models (I2≥50%, P<0.05); therefore, random-effect models were used for analysis. Recessive and co-dominant models were also analyzed using random-effect models. In the overall calculation, TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms were not statistically significantly associated with the severity of RA. After subgroup analysis by geographic region, TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms were significantly associated with RA severity in European populations, GA + AA vs. GG: (OR=0.503, 95% CI: 0.297-0.853 and P=0.011); GG + AA vs. GA: (OR=2.268, 95% CI: 1.434-3.590 and P<0.001). No other models were statistically significant. Forest plots of the dominant gene models and super-dominant models are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, and detailed data are revealed in Table V.

Table V

Summary of associations between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis.

Table V

Summary of associations between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis.

 Test of associationTests for heterogeneityEgger's test
Genetic modelPopulationNumber of studiesOR (95% CI)P-value PhI2 (%) PE
A vs. GOverall60.870 (0.464-1.629)0.6630.00868.10.756
 North America13.291 (1.365-7.930)0.008-- 
 Asia30.730 (0.307-1.737)0.4770.19239.4 
 Europe20.638 (0.396-1.029)0.0660.26120.8 
GA + AA vs. GGOverall60.764 (0.394-1.482)0.4260.01664.00.640
 North America12.724 (1.036-7.164)0.042-- 
 Asia30.745 (0.288-1.928)0.5430.18440.9 
 Europe20.503 (0.297-0.853)0.0110.28014.4 
AA vs. GG + GAOverall62.129 (0.483-9.386)0.3180.23729.30.557
 North America114.080 (0.711-278.718)0.083-- 
 Asia30.365 (0.017-7.733)0.518-- 
 Europe22.009 (0.307-13.144)0.4670.23230.1 
AA vs. GGOverall61.721 (0.336-8.825)0.5150.17739.10.601
 North America115.479 (0.779-307.680)0.072-- 
 Asia30.314 (0.015-6.676)0.458-- 
 Europe21.402 (0.160-12.305)0.7600.18942.0 
GG + AA vs. GAOverall61.490 (0.838-2.651)0.1740.07150.80.472
 North America10.548 (0.196-1.533)0.252-- 
 Asia31.300 (0.545-3.103)0.5540.23231.5 
 Europe22.268 (1.434-3.590)<0.0010.3910 

[i] OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. Heterogeneity between the studies was observed in the current meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. For the study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphism and RA susceptibility, subgroup analysis by geographical region showed no significant statistical significance in the overall and subgroup results of the five gene models. For the study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and RA severity, the overall results of the five gene models were not statistically significant, but TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms were observed to be significantly associated with the severity of RA in the European population after subgroup analysis; therefore, geographical regions may be the source of heterogeneity in TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and RA severity studies. In both studies, sensitivity analyses were performed using the two methods. First, a sensitivity analysis was conducted by eliminating them individually. The results showed no significant change in the OR or 95% CI values for the overall outcome after the sequential removal of each study. Second, Stata 17.0 software performed a sensitivity analysis of the results of the meta-analysis. The results revealed that none of the 34 studies on RA susceptibility affected the stability of the results (Fig. 4). Similarly, none of the six studies on the severity of RA affected the stability of the results (Fig. 5). The results of sensitivity analysis indicated that the present meta-analysis was reliable.

Analysis of publication bias. In the study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and susceptibility to RA, the funnel plot method was used to test for publication bias. A publication bias funnel plot, which is visually asymmetric, is illustrated in Fig. 6, and there may be bias. After the Egger method test, P>0.05 in all genetic models indicated that there was no publication bias in the present study, and the detailed data are presented in Table IV. For the study of TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 polymorphisms and RA severity, no publication bias funnel was used for publication bias because the number of studies was <10. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's test. According to the results of the Egger test, P>0.05 in all genetic models indicated that there was no publication bias in the present study. Detailed data is listed in Table V.

Positive result confidence test. Based on the OR value and 95% CI of the aforementioned results, the false-positive report probability (FPRP) values of the dominant and super-dominant models were calculated under a series of prior probability conditions, and the results are shown in Table VI. An FPRP value of <0.2 was used as the standard to judge the reliability of the correlation (42). Confidence assessment determined that the statistically significant association in this meta-analysis was reliable for TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629.

Table VI

False-positive report probability values for meta-analysis results.

Table VI

False-positive report probability values for meta-analysis results.

 Prior probability
Positive resultSubgroupGenetic modelOR (95% CI)I2 (%)P-valuePower0.250.10.010.0010.0001
TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 andEuropeGA + AA vs. GG0.503 (0.297-0.853)14.40.0110.1480.179a0.3960.8780.9860.999
RA severityEuropeGG + AA vs. GA2.268 (1.434-3.590)0<0.0010.0390.035a0.099a0.5470.9240.992

[i] aindicates statistically significant values. OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.

Discussion

RA is a typical chronic inflammatory disease, and genetic factors are extremely important in the pathogenesis of RA. Individuals with predisposing genes are exposed to specific environments that cause immune regulation in the body, thereby triggering the entire inflammatory process. During this process, the oxidative stress that occurs in the body accelerates the inflammatory process, aggravates immune system disorders and promotes the occurrence of diseases (43). In addition, RA is a heterogeneous disease, and genetic and environmental factors influence its incidence in different ethnic groups. According to the current results, genetic heterogeneity is manifested by different susceptibility gene loci in different races, and even if individual sites are the same, allele frequency and genetic contribution are different (44).

The TNF-α gene, located in a highly polymorphic region, human chromosome 6 short arm 6p21.3, is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced primarily by macrophages and monocytes and is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses (45). TNF-α has two different receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2). TNF-α binds to cell surface TNFR1 and TNFR2, respectively, to regulate apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. Most cell surfaces express TNFR1; however, TNFR2 expression is limited to immune cells (46). TNF-α has numerous biological effects, such as activation, proliferative and differentiation of immune cells; inducing apoptosis in certain non-tumor cells and most tumor cells; playing an important role in antitumor, immune defense and inflammatory response; and is an important biological mediator for maintaining the immune balance of the body (47). TNF can be detected in the synovial fluid of patients with RA; therefore, it is important to investigate whether there is an association between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and RA susceptibility and severity. The results of Jahid et al (4) demonstrated that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 was strongly associated with the onset of RA in the Indian population. Li et al (26) showed that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with the occurrence of RA in the Han Chinese population. By contrast, the results of Sun et al (6) demonstrated that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms are not associated with the pathogenesis of RA. In addition, Boechat et al (5) reported through a controlled study of 131 patients with RA and 192 healthy volunteers that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms in the Brazilian population were not associated with the occurrence of RA but were related to the severity of the disease. Nemec et al (30) reported that patients with RA and the GG genotype of the promoter polymorphism of the TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 had a more severe disease course. In addition, they observed that the G allele of the TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 promoter polymorphism in this cohort was associated with decreased functional ability in patients with RA. In a previous meta-analysis, Song et al (48) included 19 studies suggesting that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to RA. This meta-analysis excluded the literature that the genotype frequency of the control group did not conform to HWE, included a total of 34 relevant literature, analyzed by five gene models, and finally reported that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms were associated with the severity of RA in the European population in the dominant model and the super-dominant model, and the results were reliable after FPRP testing.

The present meta-analysis had certain limitations. First, the current study included 34 articles, but the sample size of certain single nucleotide polymorphism analyses was small, and most of them were single-center studies. More high-quality, multicenter and large-sample studies are required for further analysis and verification. Second, a few studies did not provide long-term follow-up data, making it difficult to assess the durability and stability of the results. Thirdly, in the subgroup analyses, the sample sizes were insufficient for a few ethnic groups, resulting in a slight lack of diversity in the results. Fourth, only the relationship between TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility and severity of RA was studied, and further research on other related genes is necessary to fully elucidate the pathogenesis of RA. Fifth, meta-analysis is a descriptive secondary analysis that builds on existing research; therefore, the heterogeneity of the selected literature, study design of variables, different judgment criteria and statistical methods may affect the results of the meta-analysis.

In summary, it was observed that TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms were not associated with susceptibility to RA. However, TNF-α-308G/A rs1800629 gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with the severity of RA in the European population, and FPRP testing suggested reliable results.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

Funding: No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The data generated in the present study are included in the figures and/or tables of this article.

Authors' contributions

YLW and XYL participated in the design of the present study, and both performed statistical analyses. LL and SFL conducted the study and collected important background information. PFH and XDL drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Data authentication is not applicable.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All procedures involving human participants performed in the present study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study, formal consent was not required.

Patient consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Wang Y, Li X, Liu L, Li S, Han P and Li X: Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms in TNF‑&alpha;‑308G/A rs1800629 associated with susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Exp Ther Med 28: 279, 2024.
APA
Wang, Y., Li, X., Liu, L., Li, S., Han, P., & Li, X. (2024). Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms in TNF‑&alpha;‑308G/A rs1800629 associated with susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 28, 279. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12567
MLA
Wang, Y., Li, X., Liu, L., Li, S., Han, P., Li, X."Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms in TNF‑&alpha;‑308G/A rs1800629 associated with susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 28.1 (2024): 279.
Chicago
Wang, Y., Li, X., Liu, L., Li, S., Han, P., Li, X."Evaluation of genetic polymorphisms in TNF‑&alpha;‑308G/A rs1800629 associated with susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 28, no. 1 (2024): 279. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2024.12567