HLA gene-targeted studies have confirmed the strong associations of HLA class II alleles such as HLA-DRB1*08:01 for Caucasian PBC(15); HLA-DRB1*08 and HLA-DRB1*02 for Italian PBC(13); HLA-DRB1*08:03, HLA-DQB1*03:01, HLA-DQB1*04:01 and HLA-DQB1*06:04 for Japanese PBC (12); and HLA-DRB1*08:03, HLA-DQB1*03:01 and HLA-DPB1*17:01 for Chinese PBC (44). This evidence concerns the gene HLA-DRB1 and primary biliary cholangitis.