In our study, the IFN-α level in the serum of SLE patients was higher than that in healthy donors, and the change was positively correlated with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), suggesting that IFN-α may play an important role in the SLE pathogenesis because it can activate autoreactive T and B lymphocytes and induce B cells to produce antibodies. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.