Preliminary analyses of our cohort of patients showed no difference in TLR9 mediated IFNα or TNFα production between SLE patients taking or not taking steroids (p = 0.63 and p = 0.94, respectively) or hydroxychloroquine (p = 0.52 and p = 0.25, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene IFNA2 and systemic lupus erythematosus.