From monogenic lupus to TLR7/MyD88-targeted therapy

The role of TLR7 in SLE pathogenesis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complicated autoimmune disease with multiple organ involvement and characterized by excessive autoantibody production and immune complex deposition. According to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classifications of SLE, clinical manifestations and immunological indicators are two major criteria for lupus classification. A seven-year-old patient presented by Brown et al. exhibited thrombocytopenia, hypocomplementemia, and elevated autoantibodies, which are critical serological features of lupus. 1 Moreover, damage to diverse tissues including joints, kidneys, and neurological systems was observed. Altogether, this patient was diagnosed with pediatric lupus. Additionally, this individual responded well to current SLE therapies including prednisone, azathioprine, mycophenolate, and rituximab.