Our results must be interpreted with caution, nevertheless, there is some evidence suggesting that involvement of MEFV in autoimmune diseases could be associated with HLA molecules33–35 and conversely, differential effects of HLA class I molecules in Japanese patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), even in those with high-penetrance MEFV mutations, have been identified36. The gene discussed is MEFV; the disease is familial Mediterranean fever.