Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis
Abstract This study examined the association between circulating interleukin-37 (IL-37) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IL-37 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to SLE. Relevant studies were identified through extensive searches of the Medline, E...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| author | Young Ho Lee Gwan Gyu Song |
| author_facet | Young Ho Lee Gwan Gyu Song |
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| description | Abstract This study examined the association between circulating interleukin-37 (IL-37) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IL-37 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to SLE. Relevant studies were identified through extensive searches of the Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to December 2024. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare serum/plasma IL-37 levels in SLE patients with those in controls and to evaluate the association between IL-37 gene polymorphisms and SLE risk. Twelve studies comprising 1,229 SLE patients and 745 controls were analyzed. The meta-analysis revealed higher IL-37 levels in SLE patients compared to controls (SMD: 0.570, 95% CI-0.070–1.210, p = 0.0803), though the difference was not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis showed a significant association in Asians (SMD: 0.730, 95% CI: 0.151–1.310, p = 0.010), but not in Arabs (SMD: 0.410, 95% CI: -0.780–1.600, p = 0.500). Analysis of the original data indicated significant results (SMD: 1.026, 95% CI: 0.505–1.547, p < 0.001), while the re-calculated data did not. Studies conducted before 2019 revealed a significant association (SMD: 0.906, 95% CI: 0.438–1.374, p < 0.001), unlike more recent studies. Higher IL-37 levels were observed in patients with lupus nephritis, although these findings were not statistically significant. Genetic analysis of IL-37 rs3811047 polymorphism revealed no significant association in Arabs (OR: 1.432, 95% CI: 0.607–3.373, p = 0.413), whereas a significant association was noted in Asians (OR: 0.649, 95% CI: 0.448–0.941, p = 0.023). The meta-analysis demonstrated significantly elevated IL-37 levels in SLE patients among Asians, along with a significant association between IL-37 polymorphisms and SLE. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-fd70b099f81d430d88e06e78dbd6ebca2025-08-20T03:03:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-08818-1Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysisYoung Ho Lee0Gwan Gyu Song1Department of Rheumatology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineDepartment of Rheumatology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of MedicineAbstract This study examined the association between circulating interleukin-37 (IL-37) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IL-37 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to SLE. Relevant studies were identified through extensive searches of the Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to December 2024. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare serum/plasma IL-37 levels in SLE patients with those in controls and to evaluate the association between IL-37 gene polymorphisms and SLE risk. Twelve studies comprising 1,229 SLE patients and 745 controls were analyzed. The meta-analysis revealed higher IL-37 levels in SLE patients compared to controls (SMD: 0.570, 95% CI-0.070–1.210, p = 0.0803), though the difference was not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis showed a significant association in Asians (SMD: 0.730, 95% CI: 0.151–1.310, p = 0.010), but not in Arabs (SMD: 0.410, 95% CI: -0.780–1.600, p = 0.500). Analysis of the original data indicated significant results (SMD: 1.026, 95% CI: 0.505–1.547, p < 0.001), while the re-calculated data did not. Studies conducted before 2019 revealed a significant association (SMD: 0.906, 95% CI: 0.438–1.374, p < 0.001), unlike more recent studies. Higher IL-37 levels were observed in patients with lupus nephritis, although these findings were not statistically significant. Genetic analysis of IL-37 rs3811047 polymorphism revealed no significant association in Arabs (OR: 1.432, 95% CI: 0.607–3.373, p = 0.413), whereas a significant association was noted in Asians (OR: 0.649, 95% CI: 0.448–0.941, p = 0.023). The meta-analysis demonstrated significantly elevated IL-37 levels in SLE patients among Asians, along with a significant association between IL-37 polymorphisms and SLE.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08818-1Interleukin-37Systemic lupus erythematosusGene polymorphismsEthnic variabilityMeta-Analysis |
| spellingShingle | Young Ho Lee Gwan Gyu Song Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis Scientific Reports Interleukin-37 Systemic lupus erythematosus Gene polymorphisms Ethnic variability Meta-Analysis |
| title | Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis |
| title_full | Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis |
| title_short | Association of IL-37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis |
| title_sort | association of il 37 levels and genetic variants with systemic lupus erythematosus a meta analysis |
| topic | Interleukin-37 Systemic lupus erythematosus Gene polymorphisms Ethnic variability Meta-Analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08818-1 |
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