In contrast, following IMQ treatment, Acod1−/− mice displayed lower spleen:body weight ratios compared to WT imiquimod-treated (Fig. 3b) Morphologically, IMQ-treated Acod1−/− mice displayed marked splenic congestion of the red pulp and atrophy of the white pulp when compared to IMQ-treated WT mice, similar to what has been reported in human SLE (26) (Fig. 3c). This evidence concerns the gene ACOD1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.