Association of coronary artery disease with toll-like receptor 4 genetic variants: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays an important role in the formation of coronary atherosclerotic plaque and the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives. The aim of the study was to conduct a meta-analysis assessing the relationship between 2 common genetic variants in the TLR4 gene (rs4986790 and rs4986791) and susceptibility to CAD. Material and methods. A systematic search of Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Pubmed, and Wanfang Med Online was undertaken. Case-control studies assessing the association of rs4986790 and rs4986791 with CAD risk were included. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as the metric of choice for the evaluation of risk. Results. The literature search generated 427 studies, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 13, 927 participants. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant association between rs4986791 and CAD risk in Asians using the dominant model (CT + TT vs CC: OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.21-0.56, p < 0.001), heterozygote contrast (CT vs CC: OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.19-0.57, p < 0.001) and allele contrast (T vs C: OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.25-0.58, p < 0.001). No significant association between rs4986791 and CAD was observed among Caucasians. For rs4986790, the results provided no evidence of an association with CAD risk. Conclusions. Our analysis suggests that rs4986791 is negatively associated with CAD risk in Asians but not in Caucasians. No association between rs4986790 and CAD risk was found.