NLRP12 and systemic lupus erythematosus: It is worth noting that patients with detectable circulating IFN-α levels had significantly higher SLEDAI-2K than patients without detectable serum IFN-α levels (P = 0.004), suggesting that SLE patients with higher disease activity remain at risk for prolonged IFN-I signature gene expression and inflammation due to lower NLRP12 expression.