The Trp719Arg polymorphism of the KIF6 gene and coronary heart disease risk: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD). Kinesin-like protein 6 (KIF6) is a new candidate gene for CHD, since it has been identified as a potential risk factor. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published association studies between the Trp719Arg polymorphism of KIF6 and the development of CHD.

Methods: Studies and abstracts investigating the relationship between the Trp719Arg polymorphism of KIF6 and subsequent risk for development of CHD were reviewed. Electronic search from Pubmed and EBSCO databases was performed between 1993 and 2014 to identify studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. To analyze the association we used the models: allelic, additive, dominant and recessive. Moreover, we conducted a sub-analysis by populations using the same four models.

Results: Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. The Trp719Arg polymorphism showed a significant association with CHD when the analysis comprised the population with myocardial infarction (MI) and the additive genetic model was used. Moreover, this polymorphism showed a protective association with CHD when the analysis comprised the whole population using the recessive genetic model.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the Trp719Arg polymorphism of the KIF6 gene is an important risk factor for developing MI and that allele 719Arg may have a protective association to present CHD in all populations.

Prospero registration: CRD42015024602.