IFNA1 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Multiple candidate gene association studies and genome wide association studies have led to discovery of more than 30 susceptibility loci throughout the whole genome, most of which are involved in three main pathways in lupus pathogenesis: abnormal clearance of nuclear debris and immune complexes, over-activation of innate immune system through Toll-like receptor (TLR) and type I interferon (IFN) signaling, and aberrant adaptive immune response through B and T cell signaling (6, 7).