Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a chronic type I interferon (IFN) response, which is considered to play a central role in the breakdown of self-tolerance (Banchereau and Pascual, 2006; Pascual et al., 2006; Rönnblom et al., 2011). The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.