The anti-inflammatory CASPASE-12 gene does not influence SLE phenotype in African-Americans

•CASP12 genotype does not protect against SLE in African-Americans.•CASP12 genotype has no correlation with any ACR classification criteria for SLE.•CASP12+ patients were less likely to be positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies.•CASP12 had no influence of serum IL1β levels in either controls or patients.