IFI16 and Autoimmunity: Given that PBMCs from lupus patients express increased levels of the IFI16 mRNA as compared to healthy individuals [47], our observations that the IFI16 protein suppresses the activation of caspase-1 by the AIM2-ASC inflammasome support the idea that the increased levels of the IFI16 protein in immune cells contribute to the development of autoimmunity.