HLA-DQA2 and autoimmune disease: Interestingly, the DRB1*03:02-DQB1*04:02-DQA1*04:01 haplotype, which is more common in African populations, was reported to be a protective against an autoimmune disease- namely Type 1 diabetes in African Americans [40], suggesting that this haplotype might be associated with general protection against several autoimmune diseases.