A single nucleotide polymorphism in the interferon-γ gene (<i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A) is associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis

Abstract

Interferon-γ (Interferon gamma, IFNG) is an important cytokine involved in providing resistance to mycobacterial diseases. Common variants of <i>IFNG</i>, such as <i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A(rs2430561), may be related to tuberculosis susceptibility, but this association has not been consistently observed. We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the <i>IFNG +874 T/A</i> (rs2430561) polymorphism and tuberculosis susceptibility. PubMed and SinoMed databases were searched up to October 2016, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the association strength. Based on search criteria for manuscripts reporting tuberculosis susceptibility and its relationship with the <i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism, 42 case-control studies from 39 different articles were retrieved. Significantly positive, decreased, and protective associations were found between the <i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism and tuberculosis risk in five genetic models. Moreover, in the stratified subgroup analysis, a protective relationship was detected in four different ethnicities and sources of the control groups. Furthermore, the <i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism played an important role in protecting individuals from both pulmonary tuberculosis and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Our meta-analysis suggests that the <i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism is potentially associated with tuberculosis susceptibility and may be used as a predictive biomarker. Further studies with larger sample sizes and consideration of gene-environment interactions should be conducted to elucidate the role of <i>IFNG</i> +874 T/A(rs2430561) polymorphism in tuberculosis susceptibility.