Distinct Effector B Cells Induced by Unregulated Toll-like Receptor 7 Contribute to Pathogenic Responses in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Immunity)

The role of extrafollicular B cells in human systemic lupus is unknown. Jenks et al. define the main components of this pathway and its prominence in severe disease. Its activation is mediated by hyper-responsiveness to Toll-like receptor-7 and leads to the generation of autoreactive antibody-secreting plasmablasts.