Abstract :
The Notch signaling pathway functions on cell fate decisions in a variety of different organizations in multicellular organisms, such as the hematopoietic system, nervous system, vascular system, skin and pancreas. In the majority of cases, Notch signaling blocks cell differentiation towards a primary process, and instead, direct them to a second differentiation. Altering the differentiation program or forcing it to remain in the undifferentiated state, there are several human diseases linked to defects in genes involved in Notch signaling, aberrant Notch signaling has been observed in a number of human cancers, suggesting a possible role of Notch signaling in tumor formation. Further, Recent study demonstrated an essential role for Notch1 in the corneal epithelial barrier recovery after wounding. We systematically searched the electronic PubMed database for research articles about Notch gene polymorphisms and diseases up to October 2013. Revman 5.0 software was adopted to conduct the meta-analysis. Crude odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by either fixed-effects model or random-effects model. The present meta-analysis suggests that Notch gene polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility of many diseases especially cancer.
Keyword :
Notch; Pathogenesis; Cancer; Signaling pathway; Crude odds ratio