This SNP has also been associated with increased risk for multiple autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (28), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (53), Graves’ disease (52, 54), myasthenia gravis (55), primary Sjogren’s syndrome (56), generalized vitiligo (57), Addison’s disease (58), and alopecia areata (59) strongly suggesting PTPN22 regulates immunity. This evidence concerns the gene PTPN22 and autoimmune disease.