In fact, Joshita et al. [16] have found an association between three STAT4 PBC risk alleles (rs7574865, rs8179673, and rs10181656) with ANA status (but not with AMA positivity) in Japanese patients with PBC; IL12R polymorphisms do not appear to be risk alleles in non-Caucasian patients, and in particular those originated from Japan, and this may explain why associations were not reported by the former study between AMA or ANA with IL12R alleles. The gene discussed is STAT4; the disease is primary biliary cholangitis.