TLR7 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Particularly, in lupus-prone mouse models, TLR7 overexpression is associated with the production of autoantibodies and the development of autoimmune phenotypes (Pisitkun et al., 2006; Subramanian et al., 2006); on the other hand, in the situation of TLR7 deletion the levels of circulating autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and INF-α, are significantly decreased with improved disease symptoms (Christensen et al., 2006; Lee et al., 2008; Kono et al., 2009).