Association of WDR36 polymorphisms with primary open angle glaucoma

Background: The association of the WDR36 gene with glaucoma has been controversial in the literature. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association of all reported common polymorphisms in WDR36 with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and its subtypes: high tension glaucoma (HTG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods: Publications in PUBMED and EMBASE databases up to March 9, 2016 were searched for case–control association studies of WDR36 with POAG, HTG, and/or NTG. Reported studies giving adequate genotype and/or allele information were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of individual polymorphisms were estimated using the allelic model. Results: Our literature search yielded 122 records, among which 5 studies were eligible for meta-analysis, involving a total of 1352 POAG patients and 894 controls. Five WDR36 polymorphisms were meta-analyzed, rs11241095, rs10038177, rs17553936, rs13186912, and rs13153937. However, none of them was significantly associated with POAG, HTG, or NTG. The most-investigated polymorphisms, rs11241095 and rs10038177, had a pooled-OR of 1.09 (95% CI: 0.94–1.28, P = .25, I2 = 0) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.71–1.39, P = .97, I2 = 77%), respectively, for POAG. Conclusion: The existing data in the literature do not support a significant role of WDR36 in the genetic susceptibility of POAG or its subtypes. Further replication studies in specific populations are warranted.