BackgroundSequence variations in genes involved in inflammatory system are known to contribute to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) including stroke. Very few number of studies have been published in the context of the association between Interleukin-1α(IL-1α), CD14 cell surface glycoprotein (CD14), Galectin-2-encoding gene (LGALS2)and proteasome subunit type 6 (PSMA6) gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to ischemic stroke (IS).ObjectiveThe present meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive account of the association between IL-1α (-C889T and -C511T), CD14 (-C159T), LGALS2 (-C3279T) and PSMA6 (-C8G) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to IS.MethodsA literature search for eligible genetic studies published before August 31, 2015 was conducted in the PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, OVID, and Google Scholar databases. Fixed or random effects models were used to estimate the Pooled Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsTotal 21 studies were included in our meta-analysis. No significant association was observed between IL-1α (-C889T) [OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.67–2.08, P = 0.58], IL-1α (-C511T) [OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.66–1.37, P = 0.77], LGALS2(-C2379T) [OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.02–4.26, P = 0.37] and CD14 (-C260T) [OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.77–1.11, P = 0. 42] gene polymorphisms and risk of IS. However, protective level of association was observed between PSMA6 (-C8G) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to IS under the recessive model [OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08–0.72, P = 0.01].ConclusionOur meta-analysis shows that IL-1α (-C889T and -C511T), CD14 (-C159T), LGALS2 (-C3279T) and gene polymorphisms are not significantly associated with the risk of IS while PSMA6 (-C8G) gene polymorphism may play a protective role with the susceptibility of IS. Further prospective large epidemiological studies are needed to confirm these findings in different populations.