Meta-Analysis of the Association of HLA-DRB1 with Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody-Positive and Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody-Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis ()
1. Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and worldwide prevalent disease that is characterized by the symmetric joint destruction and disability [1] . The prevalence of RA in the patients living in variety of areas is presumably associated with the complex interaction between specific environmental conditions of geographical areas and the polymorphism of the immune response genes in the population [2] . Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles, especially the HLADRB1*04, HLA- DRB1*01 and HLA-DRB1*10, are strongly associated with RA [3] [4] . Based on the fact that the shared epitope (SE) is located in positions of 70 - 74 (QKRAA, RRRAA, or QRRAA) of the HLA-DRB1 chain, the hypothesis that the SE HLA-DRB1 alleles were associated with developing RA was generated [5] [6] . The hypothesis provides the theoretical basis of further investigating the effects of the HLA alleles to the RA [7] [8] . Because of the complexity of the HLA region, not all HLA SE alleles carried susceptibility for RA [9] .
The study of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) revealed that the HLA SE alleles were strongly associated with the ACPA response [10] . Furthermore, the DRB1* 13:02 was discovered to play the protective role of ACPA-positive RA in Japanese. However, in ACPA-negative RA the study showed a negative association of DRB1*13:02 with Japanese RA [11] . The different results indicated the different ACPA-status probably constituted distinct patient population with different underlying pathogenetic backgrounds.
The multitude of classifications HLA alleles indicated that the predisposing and protective effects of HLA alleles in RA seemed to be straightforward. However, due to the use of different classifications by geographic regions or ACPA-status, the results of the effects of HLA alleles can be conflicted.
The meta-analysis was performed to overcome the problems of small sample size and conflicted results according to achieved data. Several meta-analyses have indicated the strong association between HLA-DRB1 and RA in different population, for example, DRB1 *04:01 and *04:05 were close associated with RA in European and East Asian populations [12] [13] . However, it is not clear whether classifications based on ACPA- positive or ACPA-negative data from different geographic areas have similar results.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Literature Search and Selection
2.2. Inclusion Criteria
The following criteria were used to determine the eligible articles for meta-analysis: 1) the diagnosis of RA patients with standard criteria of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1987 must be included. 2) Study must be associated with HLA-DRB1 and the ACPA-positive RA or ACPA-negative RA. 3) The original data and methods were well-described and reliable. 4) If many articles were from same authors and institutions, the most eligible single article was selected. Review articles are not included.
2.3. Quality Assessment of Included Studies
Two reviewers (Helin Feng and Jianfa Xu) independently assessed the quality of articles based on the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale [14] . Three dimensions, including selection of patients, comparability, and outcome assessment, were focused in the scale. We specified a priori that was denoted by a numerical score ranging from 0 to 9, with 7 or higher representing high quality, 5 or 6 representing moderate quality, 4 or less indicating low quality.
2.4. Data Extraction
Two investigators (Helin Feng and Jianfa Xu) extracted the following information from each article: the first author’s name, the date of publication, geographical region, study design, sample, source of cases and controls, frequency of HLA-DRB1 alleles, number of cases and controls. The geographical populations can be classified into European populations and Asia or African populations. Because of significantly geographic variation in populations, all subjects were divided into Europe or non-Europe origin in the subgroup analysis. Notably, due to small numbers of patients and control subjects from Africa, the date from Asian and African populations grouped together in the analysis. Disagreement was resolved by discussion or revisiting the article until consensus was reached.
2.5. Statistical Analysis
The state package version 12.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA) was applied in the meta-analysis. The summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to indicate the association of the different HLA-DRB1 alleles with the development of different ACPA-status RA. The statistical heterogeneity among the studies was assessed by a chi-square-based Q statistic test and the I2 statistic (I2 = 0% - 50%, no or moderate heterogeneity; I2 > 50%, significant heterogeneity) [15] [16] . If the homogeneity was significant (P > 0.10 for the Q test or I2% > 50%), the random-effect model was used. Otherwise, the fixed-effect model was used. The Egger’s test and Begg’s test were used to assess publication bias [17] . And we applied sensitivity analysis to examine the stability of the pooled results. All P values were two-sided, and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
3. Results
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Figure 1. Selection process for the studies included in the meta-analysis.
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Table 1. Main characteristics of the 12 studies included in the final meta-analysis.
3.1. Associations between HLA-DRB1 Alleles and ACPA-Negative RA
The results of the meta-analysis for ACPA-negative RA were shown in Table 2. The results indicated possible protective effect of DRB1*07, DRB1*13 and DRB1*1302, and a predisposing effect of DRB1*0405 on ACPA-negative RA based on without classification in geographical differences. However, correlations of DRB1*1302 and DRB1*0405 with ACPA-negative RA were weakly significant.
To detect the effects of DRB1*07, DRB1*10, DRB1*12 and DRB1*13, the subgroup analysis were performed according to geographic differences. The results documented that DRB1*10 and DRB1*12 could play a predisposing effect as well as that DRB1*10 exert a protective effect of ACPA-negative RA in Asia or/and African populations. However, these associations need to be confirmed by further studies.
3.2. Associations between HLA?DRB1 Alleles and ACPA-Positive RA
The results of the meta-analysis for ACPA-positive RA are shown in Table 3. The analysis revealed that DRB1*01, DRB1*04, DRB1*0401, DRB1*0404, DRB1*0405 and DRB1*10 played predisposing effects, while DRB1*03, DRB1*0403, DRB1*0406, DRB1*07, DRB1*08, DRB1*11, DRB1*12, DRB1*13, DRB1*1301, DRB1*1302, DRB1*14 and DRB1*15 carried protective effects of ACPA-positive RA based on without classification in geographical differences. It is apparent that the predisposing effects of DRB1*01, DRB1*04, DRB1*0401 and DRB1*0405 and the protective effects of DRB1*07, DRB1*11 and DRB1*13 were shown in either European RA patients or Asia or/and African RA populations. The predisposing effects of DRB1*10 and protective effects of DRB1*03 and DRB1*12 were observed only in European RA patients. Concomitantly, we also found that the protective effects of DRB1*08 were visible only in Asia or/and African RA populations. However, the evaluation that the DRB1*0403,
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Table 2. HLA-DRB1 associations with ACPA-negative RA according to meta-analysis*.
*Odds ratios (ORs) depicting a negative association with a P value of <0.01 after stratification were considered to represent a protective effect and are printed in bold; ORs depicting a positive association with a P value of <0.01 after stratification were considered to represent a predisposing effect and are printed in bold. ACPA = anti-citrullinated protein antibody; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval.
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Table 3. HLA-DRB1 associations with ACPA-positive RA according to meta-analysis*.
*Odds ratios (ORs) depicting a negative association with a P value of <0.01 after stratification were considered to represent a protective effect and are printed in bold; ORs depicting a positive association with a P value of <0.01 after stratification were considered to represent a predisposing effect and are printed in bold. ACPA = anti-itrullinated protein antibody; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval.
DRB1*0404, DRB1*0406, DRB1*1301 and DRB1*1302 were associated with ACPA- positive RA was possibly hampered due to relatively small numbers of patients and control groups.
Because the results may vary based on geographical differences, the subgroup was performed between European populations and Asia or/and African populations. It has been also confirmed that the hierarchy in the strength of this association was DRB1 *04 > DRB1*10 > DRB1*01 in our meta-analysis in European ACPA-positive RA patients. We observed that the protective effects of HLA-DRB1*07, *11, *13 and *14 and the predisposing effects of HLA-DRB1*01,*04,*0401,*0405 did not appear to be restricted in geographical differences. However, the protective effects of HLA-DRB1 *10 and the predisposing effects of HLA-DRB1*03 and *12 were limited to European populations.
3.3. Associations between HLA-DRB1*07 and ACPA-Positive or ACPA-Negative RA
The data showed the DRB1*07 carried protective effect in ACPA-negative RA (OR 0.54 [95% CI 0.39 - 0.75]) and ACPA-positive RA (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.58 - 0.74]) based on data of none-classification in geographical differences (Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(b)). Though the DRB1*07 showed protective effect (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.36?0.75]) of ACPA- negative RA in European populations, there is no association (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.31 - 1.35]) with ACPA-negative RA in Asia or/and African populations (Figure 2(c) and Figure 2(d)). These results indicated the strong correlation of DRB1*07 with ACPA- negative RA in European populations. Concomitantly, in the ACPA-positive patients, the DRB1*07 provided the protective correlation with ACPA-positive RA in European populations (OR 0.67 [95% CI 0.58 - 0.76]) and Asia or/and African populations (OR 0.50 [95% CI 0.31 - 0.82]) (Figure 2(e) and Figure 2(f)). We therefore concluded that regardless the ACPA positive or negative, the DRB1*07 was always associated with protection in European populations.
3.4. Sensitivity Analysis and Publication Bias
The sensitivity analysis indicated that each study was sequentially removed and the results were consistent. No significant publication bias was shown in the funnel plots. What’s more, no significant evidence for publication bias was revealed by the regression asymmetry test.
4. Discussion
There have been difficulties for dissecting the effects of the various HLA alleles to RA susceptibility due to polymorphic HLA alleles. Many authorities have tried to clarify the predisposing and protective effects of the HLA alleles for RA. Several studies indicated that the ACPA-status and geographic distribution were essential factors which affected the effects of the HLA alleles on RA [28] [29] . Previous studies also have shown that the effects of the various subtypes in RA susceptibility were discordant indifferent regions and nationalities [13] ; thus the stratification by geographical differences was performed in our meta-analysis. Additionally, our data not only document the association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with influence but also considerably refine the definition of predisposing and protective alleles.
Our present study shows that the HLA-DRB1*01, *04, *0401, *0405 play predisposing roles in the correlation with ACPA-positive RA whereas the HLA-DRB1*11, *13 and *14 are associated with ACPA-positive protection regardless of European populations or Asia or/and African populations. These results are in accordance with studies performed by Diane van der Woude [6] and Kyung Ran Jun [30] . Previous study has shown that the predisposing effect of HLA-DRB1*0401 was the most frequent allele in white population and Jew [31] , whereas the HLA-DRB1*0405 was a rare allele in European population [32] . Additionally, we found that the HLA-DRB1*0405 may provide protection in ACPA-negative RA in the study, but further studies are necessary to confirm this association. Our results show that the protective effects of HLA-DRB1*13 with ACPA-positive RA in European populations is commonly present. These results are also consistent with studies performed by Diane van der Woude [6] . Furthermore, Data
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Figure 2. Effect of DRB1*07 in ACPA-positive and ACPA-negative rheumatoid arthritis. Forest plots depict the ORs and 95% confidence intervals in ACPA-positive or negative RA populations with typing of the DRB1*07 alleles. (a) Effect of DRB1*07 in the ACPA-positive RA populations without stratification by geographical differences. (b) Effect of DRB1*07 in the ACPA-negative RA populations without stratification by geographical differences. (c) Effect of DRB1*07 in the ACPA-negative RA European populations. (d) Effect of DRB1*07 in the ACPA-negative RA Non-European populations. (e) Effect of DRB1*07 in the ACPA-positive RA European populations. (f) Effect of DRB1*07 in the ACPA-positive RAN on-European populations.
from Table 2 and Table 3 suggest that protective to ACPA-negative RA by the DRB1*13 alleles is apparent only from DRB1*1301. Although the protective effects was weak, the possibility that DRB1*1301 was protective association with ACPA-negative RA should not be exclude. However, the DRB1*13 alleles affording protection in ACPA-positive RA is linked both to the DRB1*1301 and DRB1*1302. Obviously, the protective effect need to be confirmed in different populations and larger numbers of patients.
It is clear from table 3 that the protective effects of HLA-DRB1 *10 and the predisposing effects of HLA-DRB1*03 and *12 are observed in ACPA-positive RA European populations, but not in ACPA-positive RAN on-European populations. It suggests that these associations may be only present in ACPA-positive RA European populations. However, the effects of HLA-DRB1 *03, *10 and *12 were not observed in ACPA-posi- tive RA European populations. Further investigation indicated that the predisposing effects of HLA-DRB1*10 and *12 were found in ACPA-negative RA Non-European populations. These results need to be clarified due to small sample size.
In addition, as can be seen from Figure 2(b), Figure 2(c), and Figure 2(d), for the ACPA- negative RA patients, the protective effect of HLA-DRB1*07 is apparent only in European populations. However, for the ACPA-positive RA patients, HLA-DRB1*07 afforded protective function without geographical difference (Figure 2(a), Figure 2(e) and Figure 2(f). Therefore, our analysis of the DRB1*07 alleles indicated that the protection were present both for ACPA-positive RA and ACPA-negative RA in European populations. Although the study about the HLA-DRB1 alleles for the ACPA-positive RA patients included >13,000 patients and >12,000 control subjects from different populations, the possibility as HLA-DRB1*07 that protections are also present for other HLA-DRB1 alleles not observed in the present study.
Concomitantly, we can’t ignore several limitations in our analysis. For example, first, the publication bias can’t be excluded, because the cases used are case-control study rather than prospective randomized controlled studies [33] [34] . Secondly, we distinguish the geographical populations into European Populations and Non-European Populations, and the date from Asian and African populations grouped together as Non-European Populations in the analysis. However this group method may result in false-positive results. Thirdly, not all polymorphism, for example shared epitope (SE) and smoking, were analyzed in subgroups due to the limited number of articles included. However, several studies have indicated that shared epitope (SE) and smoking were strongly associated with RA [35] [36] . Fourthly, heterozygosity effects for the various other HLA-DRB1 alleles were not investigated separately. Fifth, the non-conside- ration of several potential factors of influential environments may influence the results. Sixth, our search was only conducted in English journals. However, even with several limitations, we feel our analysis was with adequate methodological quality and the results were reliable.
5. Conclusion
Overall, our study shows that in ACPA-positive RA, current available results indicate that the HLA-DRB1*01, *04, *0401 and *0405 are susceptible, while the HLA-DRB1 *07, *11, *13 and *14 are protective in all populations. In addition, it was found that HLA-DRB1*10 was susceptible, and HLA-DRB1*03 and *12 showed protective association with RA in European populations. Furthermore, regardless of the positive or negative ACPA, the DRB1*07 is always associated with protection in European populations.
Authors’ Contributions
WG, QL, HF and Yan J. designed experiments. HF, JX, NZ, LW, TG and CT analyzed data. QL, HF and WG conceived and managed the project. HF, JX, LW, KH and WG contributed to manuscript preparation. All authors contribute to manuscript finalization.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgements
This work was partially supported by the Center of Genomics and Bioinformatics and Center of Connective Tissue Research at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center; The department of technology in Hebei province, PR China (to QL).