CIITA, a master TF of MHC class II genes, was transcriptionally upregulated in either IFN-I–treated CD14+ monocytes or SLE monocytes (Figure 5H), which supported the idea that the IFN-signaling cascade led to DC activation in SLE patients and Nlrp12–/– mice. This evidence concerns the gene NLRP12 and systemic lupus erythematosus.