The majority of patients with celiac disease carry the HLA-DQA1*05 and HLA-DQB1*02 genes that encode the molecule HLA-DQ2 which binds to the peptide fragments of gluten proteins and presents them to T helper cells, leading to activation, cytokine release and infiltration of the mucosal border: the direct result is villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia affecting the absorption of micro- and macronutrients [8]. The gene discussed is HLA-DQA1; the disease is celiac disease.