Genes and SNPs in the pathway of immune response and caries risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool the data on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune response genes associated with dental caries. Nineteen studies were included in the review and 18 in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two SNPs were evaluated, which are linked to six different genes (<i>MBL2</i>, <i>LFT</i>, <i>MASP2</i>, <i>DEFB1</i>, <i>FCN2</i> and <i>MUC5B</i>). Most SNPs (81.8%) are related to the possible functional impact on protein coding. The <i>MBL2</i> gene was associated with caries experience in the analysis of the homozygote (OR = 2.12 CI95%[1.12–3.99]) and heterozygote (OR = 2.22 CI95%[1.44–3.44]) genotypes. The <i>MUC5B</i> gene was associated according to an analysis of the heterozygous genotype (OR = 1.83 CI95%[1.08–3.09]). Thus, SNPs related to immune response genes are linked to the phenotype of caries experience. Although the meta-analysis showed that the genes <i>MBL2</i> and <i>MUC5B</i> were associated with caries, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the quality of the evidence.