The genetics of type I interferon in systemic lupus erythematosus

► Type I IFN appears to be a central pathway dysregulated in SLE. ► Most SLE patients have a prominent IFN gene signature in blood. ► Over half of the common alleles associated with SLE map into the type I IFN pathway. ► Rare, monogenic SLE-like diseases also show activation of type I IFN.