TLR7 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Furthermore, it is well established that EBV RNA and DNA enhance the secretion of IFN-α through TLR7 and TLR9 in pDCs and SLE patients demonstrate high titers of EBV and increased latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) expression levels, which is a well-known oncoprotein of the EBV latent gene products [114,120].