Meta-analysis of associations of vascular endothelial growth factor protein levels and -634G/C polymorphism with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility

Abstract

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to detect the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk. Methods Associated studies were extracted from the China Biological Medicine Database (CBM), and PubMed on June 10, 2018, and applicable investigations were pooled and analyzed by meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3. Results VEGF levels was associated with SLE risk (mean differences (MD) =196.02, 95% CI: 135.29–256.75, P < 0.00001), and VEGF levels was associated with active SLE risk (MD =77.51, 95% CI: 10.98–144.05, P = 0.02). We also found that VEGF levels was associated with SLE developing into lupus nephritis (LN) risk (MD =223.16, 95% CI: 144.38–301.93, P < 0.00001). However, VEGF -634G/C gene polymorphism (rs2010963) was not associated with SLE risk. Conclusions VEGF levels was associated with SLE risk, active SLE risk and SLE developing into LN risk. However, there was no an association between VEGF -634G/C gene polymorphism and SLE risk.

Keywords

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Lupus nephritis (LN)
• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• -634G/C
• Gene polymorphism
• Meta-analysis