Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Type I IFN system in the development and manifestations of SLE
Keith B Elkon1, Alice Wiedeman
1Division of Rheumatology and Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. elkon@u.washington.edu
Purpose Of Review:
Type I interferon (IFN-I) is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we focus on new developments in pathways of IFN-I stimulation, the role of IFN-I in syndromes associated with lupus-like diseases, the utility of IFN-I signatures as biomarkers, and the progress of therapeutic agents targeting IFN-I pathways in SLE.
Recent Findings:
Immune complexesimmune complex are a dominant driver of IFN-I production by activating toll-like receptors (TLRs) in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in SLE. The level of IFN-I production is attenuated by C1q in immune complexes and enhanced by natural killer (NK) cells as well as by activated platelets that express CD40L. In addition to immune complexs, cell-intrinsic activation pathways utilize recently described non-TLR RNA and DNA sensors. Some modules or clusters of IFN-I stimulated genes or proteins correlate with disease activity, whereas IFN-I biomarkers of disease flare or specific clinical manifestations need further study. IFN-I blocking studies have reached phase II clinical trials.
Summary:
Significant progress has been made in defining both TLR as well as non-TLR mediated stimulation of IFN-I. This has helped elucidate the mechanisms of several mutations and common genetic variations in predisposing to SLE. Challenges remain in the establishing the utility of biomarkers and the role of IFN-I blockade in the clinical management of patients with this disease.
More Related Videos
08:26Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α
Published on: June 14, 2018
10:00High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions