Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects multipletissues, mainly due to a dysregulated immune system.MCP-1, a member of the b–chemokine family, is a chemotactic protein cytokine, inducingexpression of monocyte integrins necessary for chemotaxis. Its main function is recruitment ofmonocytes and other mononuclear cells to sites of inflammation.Our study aimed at detection of polymorphism in the gene regulatory region of MCP-1using PCR followed by RFLP, and its significance in the pathogenesis as well as theclinical outcome of SLE.The study included thirty cases and ten healthy matched controls. None of the controls(0%) showed the GG genotype, compared to 16.7% of cases having GG genotype,indicating a possible involvement of the homozygous G allele in the pathogenesis of SLE.A marked difference in the presence of high urea and creatinine levels was found betweencases with AA genotype (20%) and GG genotype (60%), and the worst grade of lupusnephritis (grade IV) was most frequent in cases with GG genotype (40%). Cases withhomozygous G allele showed a significant difference in the presence of photosensitivity,serositis and amenorrhea, compared to cases with homozygous A allele. Moreover, theincidence of neuropathy was higher in GG genotype, implying the possible influence of Gallele on clinical presentations of the disease.PCR is a specific, sensitive and speedy technique, which – coupled with RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphism – is suitable for detection of MCP-1 regulatory regionpolymorphism. The study should be conducted on a larger group of patients, possiblyemploying an additional technique to assess whether an existing MCP-1 polymorphismactually alters MCP-1 expression and function.