Deficiency of TLR9 promotes more severe renal inflammation in imiquimod-induced autoimmunity. Deficiency of TLR9 promotes more severe renal inflammation in imiquimod-induced autoimmunity. WT and Tlr9-/- mice were treated with imiquimod for 3 weeks. (A) Urine was collected and tested for albumin and creatinine (n=12/group). (B) Representative images. Frozen kidney sections were stained for immune complex deposition, C3: green; IgG: red. Bar, 100 µm (n=10/group). (C) Gene expression of IFN-γ, CXCL10, MHC II and IL-12 p35 from kidney tissue (n=10/group). IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; TLR, toll-like receptor; WT, wild type. Yudong Liu et al. Lupus Sci Med 2018;5:e000259 ©2018 by Lupus Foundation of America