An interesting recent study showed that, N-terminal domain of VDAC1 interact with mtDNA and promote VDAC1 oligomerization and mtDNA release, and the VDAC oligomerization inhibitor VBIT4 decreases mtDNA release, IFN signaling and disease severity in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus [28]. The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.