OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) polymorphism with acute liver graft rejection (AR) and to conduct a comprehensive analysis encompassing all relevant studies, which have shown conflicting results over the past years. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature was done for articles assessing the association between TGF-beta 1 polymorphism and AR. The OR and 95% CI were applied to investigate the strength of the associations. RESULTS: Overall, the pooled analysis showed a null association between TGF-T869C and AR, with ORs (95% CIs) of 1.13 (0.60-2.12) for TT versus CC. G915C was negatively associated with AR, and the ORs (95% CIs) were 0.91 (0.29-2.86) for G carrier versus CC. For subgroup analyses according to ethnicity, results indicated that TGF-T869C was not associated with risk of AR for either Asians (1.21 10.64-2.311 for T carrier versus CC) or Caucasians (1.27 [0.76-2.101 for T carrier versus CC). G915C was also not associated with risk of AR for Caucasians (0.91 (0.29-2.1861 for G carrier versus CC). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that TGF beta-T869C and G915C may have a null association with AR risk. The above findings reinforce the need for further and more rigorous association studies.