Mitochondrial DNA promotes autoimmunity.

MITOCHONDRIAL DNA; SYSTEMIC lupus erythematosus; AUTOIMMUNE diseases; TYPE I interferons; MITOCHONDRIA; OLIGOMERIZATION

A commentary on a study which demonstrated the relevance of mitochondrial DNA to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is given. Topics covered include role of the pores formed by oligomerization of the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in inducing type I interferon (IFN) production which contributes to SLE and other autoimmune diseases, and how mitochondrial stress lead to VDAC oligomerization.