Daniel Stetson, PhD

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

2009 Why the Lupus Immune System Reacts to Its Own DNA
2009 Environmental Triggers

Cell-Intrinsic Initiation of Autoimmunity in Lupus and Related Diseases

Lupus and related autoimmune disorders are characterized by an abnormal response to viruses in which nucleic acids such as our DNA are mistaken for viral infection. When the immune system detects these nucleic acids and read them as foreign, it attacks.

Much about the nature of these nucleic acid triggers of lupus remains poorly understood.

With LRI funding, Dr. Stetson and his team will develop a novel mouse model in which nucleic acids from within the cell trigger lethal autoimmunity. In so doing, they will generate a fascinatingly detailed picture of where these nucleic acids come from and how their accumulation activates lupus-like autoimmunity—thereby uncovering potent insights into the cause and development of lupus along with potential new biomarkers (early markers) to help monitor and treat it.

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