In contrast, the major susceptible haplotypes in Japanese and Korean T1D are DR3, DR4 and DRB1*0901-DQA1*0302-DQB1*0303 (DR9) (17, 18), whereas HLA DR3/DR9, DR3/DR3 and DR9/DR9 are high-risk T1D genotypes in Chinese individuals (19). The gene discussed is HLA-DRB1; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.