Relevant to these observations in mice, a human FcγRIIB allele that encodes a polymorphism in the transmembrane domain of the receptor that results in loss of function and is associated with SLE (OR = 1.73), is significantly more common in Africans and is associated with protection from severe malaria in African children [12]. Here, FCGR2B is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.