Gene silencing of IFN-α/βR in NZB mice, which ablated the biological activities of IFN-α/β, suppressed splenomegaly, anti-dsDNA antibody production, and kidney pathology and improved survival compared to their wildtype littermates, thereby substantiating the pathogenic role of type I IFN in promoting SLE [88]. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.