It has also been shown that if IRF3 is simultaneously knocked out in Trex1 mice, autoantibody and type I interferon production can be effectively reduced, thereby avoiding death, which also suggests that autoimmune diseases in Trex1−/− mice are associated with IRF3-dependent type I interferon production (Stetson et al. 2008). This evidence concerns the gene IRF3 and autoimmune disease.