Considering the roles of TNFAIP3, IFIH1, and IRF5 in innate and cell-mediated immunity and the reported associations with several autoimmune diseases, we hypothesized that some of the related polymorphisms of TNFAIP3, IFIH1, and IRF5 gene might be part of the genetic background that results in the development of IIMs in a Chinese Han population. This evidence concerns the gene IRF5 and autoimmune disease.