The role of bacterial DNA in autoantibody induction.

Bacterial DNA has potent immunological properties that can stimulate the immune system in SLE in both specific and non-specific ways. As such, this molecule may play an important role in disease pathogenesis, because it can exert immunomodulatory activity and function as a molecular mimic. Future studies will hopefully both determine the role of foreign nucleic acids in the induction of autoantibodies and lead to strategies for their elimination.