Anti-dsDNA, surface-expressed TLR4 and endosomal TLR9 cooperate to exacerbate lupus

Risk factors, pathogenic anti-dsDNA and combined activation of extracellular and intracellular TLRs, induce SLE syndromes in normal mice. Hence, ongoing studies will determine whether block anti-dsDNA, TLR4 and TLR9 can ameliorate lupus syndrome in lupus mice. Identification of molecular mechanisms contributing to lupus development by co-activation of surface-expressed TLR4 and endo-lysosomal of TLR9 will open new avenues for modulating immune tolerance and suppressing disease progression.