The focus of this paper has been the amino-acid sequence from position 67 to 71 encoded by HLA-DRB and the amino-acid sequence from position 71 to 77 encoded by HLA-DQB1, but classification of HLA-DRB1 genotypes according to their risk should provide diagnostic markers for SSc. The gene discussed is HLA-DRB1; the disease is systemic sclerosis.