Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exhibits increased mtRNA release, which activates inflammatory responses through cytoplasmic PRRs including retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), and toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) 12. Here, IFIH1 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.