In our study, NZB mice with mild lupus symptom showed the highest pDC number and strong IFNα producing ability, while B6.NZMSle1/2/3and BXSB/Mp mice with much more severe lupus symptoms than NZB mice showed similar pDC function and phenotype to C57BL/6 mice. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA17 and systemic lupus erythematosus.