A recent meta-analysis has shown that HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA-DRB1*16 variants increase the risk of alopecia areata, while HLA-DRB1*0301, HLA-DRB1*09 and HLA-DRB1*13 variants are protective [61]. The gene discussed is HLA-DRB1; the disease is alopecia areata.