Novel estrogen target gene ZAS3 is overexpressed in systemic lupus erythematosus

► SLE patients overexpress ZAS3 and estrogen up-regulates ZAS3 in human cells. ► Estrogen treatment up-regulates ZAS3 in mouse lymphoid tissue. ► ERα transactivates ZAS3 by binding within the ZAS3 locus. ► Blocking ERα, but not IFNα, prevents estrogen stimulation of ZAS3. ► ZAS3 overexpression may account for bone pathology and NFκB inhibition seen in SLE.