Comparison of TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3 expression in kidney tissue between lupus nephritis (LN) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a pristane-induced lupus mice model study

TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3 expression were increased in lupus, with the highest expression found in the LN group, suggesting that these biomarkers may be responsible for the development of nephritis in SLE, with TLR4 likely playing a dominant role in this pathway. Increased expression of these biomarkers in lupus without nephritis may indicate progression towards nephritis, which still needs to be proven with further research.