19 20 Moreover, polymorphisms in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes, particularly the HLA-DRB1 region, have been strongly linked to SLE in general, and specifically to LN for some haplotypes.21 HLA-DRB1 variants have also recently been associated with distinct subgroups of SLE with diverse clinical presentation and autoantibody profile.22 This evidence concerns the gene HLA-DRB1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.