Additionally, considering that a number of studies have revealed that HLA-DP genes were associated with susceptibility to many autoimmune diseases, including Wegener’s granulomatosis, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and others18, 19, 20, HLA-DP polymorphisms are likely to play an important role in SLE. This evidence concerns the gene HLA-DPA1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.