Multiple factors including genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors may contribute to the miRNA dysregulation in SLE. The published reports have shown that miR-146a, miR-125a, miR-21, and miR-148a contribute to lupus pathogenesis by regulating the type I interferon pathway, inflammatory chemokine RANTES expression, and DNA methylation, respectively. The potential pathogenic contribution of miR-155, miR-182-96-183 and miR-31, which are commonly upregulated in three murine lupus models, is suggested by either their well-defined function in immunity or the role of their target genes in the control of immune tolerance to self-antigens. The targets of these specific miRNAs are indicated. Please see the text for a detail explanation.