Here, our aim was to analyze a number of previously identified loci associated with SLE or with other autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases (STAT4, IL10, IL23R, IRAK1, PSORS1C1, HCP5, MIR146a, PTPN2, ERAP1, ATG16L1, IRGM) in a sample of Italian SLE patients in order to confirm or verify their possible involvement and their relative contribution in SLE susceptibility. This evidence concerns the gene MIR146A and systemic lupus erythematosus.