Treml4−/− MRL/lpr mice have lower autoantibody and interferon-α production and improved survival vs. Treml4+/+ controls (Ramirez-Ortiz et al., 2015), suggesting that Treml4 plays a causal role in lupus nephritis by upregulating TLR7-driven interferon production. This evidence concerns the gene TLR7 and lupus nephritis.