MicroRNA-146a and its target gene IRAK1 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: To clarify the association between miR-146a, miR-499, and IRAK1 polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predisposition. Methods: A literature search was conducted until 12 September 2020 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The keywords “miRNA-146a”, “miRNA-499”, “IRAK1” and “SLE” were used in combination to obtain case-control studies evaluating the abovementioned gene polymorphism and the risk of SLE. Results: Patients harbouring C allele of miRNA-146a rs2431697 exhibited low SLE risk (CC vs. TC + TT, OR =.77, 95% CI =.62–.95, p =.019; TC vs. CC + TT, OR =.84, 95% CI =.71–.98, p =.027; and TC vs. TT, OR =.73, 95% CI =.61–.86, p =.000), whereas patients carrying the A allele and AA genotype of rs3027898 in IRAK1 had significantly decreased SLE susceptibility (A vs. C, OR =.73, 95% CI =.60–.87, p =.001; AA vs. CA + CC, OR =.64, 95% CI =.42–.97, p =.037; AA + CA vs. CC, OR =.71, 95% CI =.56–.88, p =.003, and AA vs. CC, OR =.49, 95% CI =.31–.77, p =.002). No association was observed between miRNA-146a rs2910164 and miRNA-499 rs3746444 with SLE risk. Conclusion: This study demonstrates associations between miRNA-146a and IRAK1 polymorphisms with SLE risk. Larger studies on these associations are needed in the future to support our results.