Impaired Deoxyribonuclease Activity in Monoglandular and Polyglandular Autoimmunity

Abstract

These findings indicate the potential relevance of DNase activity in patients with monoglandular and polyglandular autoimmunity and their clinically healthy relatives. The impaired DNase activity might reduce removal of circulating self- or pathogen-derived DNA thereby favoring autoimmune mechanisms by Toll-like receptor 9 co-activation.