Furthermore, deficiency of Bank1 in TLR7-transgenic (TLR7Tg) mice leads to a reduction in age-associated B cells (ABCs) and in an IFN-stimulated gene expressing B cell population, otherwise, increased in the TLR7Tg.Bank1+/+ lupus mice. The gene discussed is TLR7; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.