Lack of association between the TGF-β(1) gene and development of COPD in Asians: a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Abnormalities in the transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)) gene are thought to be linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated the association between the single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGF-β(1) and the risk of COPD in a case-control study and meta-analysis. We genotyped 160 cases and 177 control subjects in a local hospital using the Mass-Array(TM) Technology Platform and then tested the association of four SNPs in TGF-β(1) (rs6957, rs1800469, rs2241712, and rs2241718) with COPD. Plasma TGF-β(1) level measurement was performed later. A database covering all papers published up to October 30, 2010, was then reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using Revman 5.0 and STATA 11.0 software. No association was found between TGF-β(1) gene SNPs and an increased risk of COPD in Asians. By meta-analysis, the link of two polymorphisms, rs1800469 and rs1982073, was investigated in seven and eight studies, respectively, involving 1,508 COPD patients and 2,608 control subjects. The results showed that there was no significant association between an increased risk of COPD in carriers of the T allele (TT+TC) versus the CC genotype in rs1800469 and rs1982073. In ethnic subgroup analysis, the risk of COPD associated with the rs1800469 T allele was not significantly elevated among Asians. TGF-β(1) gene polymorphisms are not associated with an increased risk of COPD in the Asian population.