Extracellular DNA and autoimmune diseases

Extracellular DNA is secreted from various sources including apoptotic cells, NETotic neutrophils and bacterial biofilms. Extracellular DNA can stimulate innate immune responses to induce type-I IFN production after being endocytosed. This process is central in antiviral responses but it also plays important role in the pathogenesis of a range of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. We discuss the recent advances in the understanding of the role of extracellular DNA, released from apoptotic and NETotic cells, in autoimmunity.