Interestingly, viral DNA and RNA as well as self nucleic acid-containing ICs stimulate IFN-α production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells via TLR-7 and TLR-9; specific inhibitors toward these TLRs potently inhibited IFN-α production (78), and treatment of lupus-prone NZB/W F1 mice with these inhibitors significantly reduced serum ANAs, glomerulonephritis, and organ damage while improving survival (79). This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.