The recognition of these motifs by TLR9 initiates a series of signaling pathways that culminate in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferon-alpha (IFN-α), which play a vital role in the pathogenesis of SLE (Fillatreau, Manfroi & Dorner, 2021; Suspene et al., 2017). The gene discussed is TLR9; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.