Increasing evidence suggests that extracellular DNA plays a part in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) independently of the involvement of anti-DNA autoantibodies. In this Perspectives article, the authors discuss the findings that have led to this conclusion, and explore the new therapeutic avenues that this discovery has opened. Specifically, the interesting prospect of targeting treatments at the structural manipulation of extracellular DNA is introduced and the strategies for achieving this goal that have shown promise in animal studies are presented.
- Steffen Frese
- Betty Diamond
