Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Type I Interferon Promote Extrafollicular B Cell Responses to Extracellular Self-DNA

Class-switched antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) are prevalent and pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet mechanisms of their development remain poorly understood. Humans and mice lacking secreted DNase DNASE1L3 develop rapid anti-dsDNA antibody responses and SLE-like disease. We report that anti-DNA responses in Dnase1l3−/− mice require CD40L-mediated T cell help, but proceed independently of germinal center formation via...