Efferocytosis and activation of RhoA/ROCK could represent a key pathogenic process at the crossroads of systemic autoimmunity, MΦ and silica exposure: in mouse models of SLE, SiO2 inhalation is associated with more severe visceral manifestations of the disease and higher levels of ANA (43, 49, 50). This evidence concerns the gene RHOA and systemic lupus erythematosus.