Mx1-ing it up-Mitochondrial relay for interferon-dependent, unconventional IL-1β release in SLE monocytes.

The role of type I interferon (IFN-I) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is well documented, but the role of interleukin (IL)-1β remains elusive. In this issue of Immunity, Caielli et al. identified an SLE monocyte population coproducing IL-1β and IFN-I and described how mitochondrial nucleic-acid-containing RBCs engage cGAS/STING, RIG-I, MDA5, and NLRP3 for unconventional IL-1β release.