Background: The adaptor protein Src homology 3 domain-binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) is widely expressed in immune cells, such as myeloid cells, B cells, and T cells. It controls intracellular signaling pathways, including Syk and Src. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of SH3BP2 in a murine systemic lupus erythematosus model.Methods: For the lupus model, we used Faslpr/lpr mice (C57BL/6 background). Clinical and immunological phenotypes were compared between Faslpr/lpr and SH3BP2-deficient Faslpr/lpr mice. Splenomegaly and renal involvement were assessed in 35-week-old mice. Serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibody and rheumatoid factor were determined using ELISA. Lymphocyte subsets in the spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. To examine the role of SH3BP2 in specific cells, B cell-specific SH3BP2-deficient lupus mice were generated and analyzed; T cells and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages were analyzed in vitro. Results: SH3BP2 deficiency significantly reduced lupus-like phenotypes, presented as splenomegaly, renal involvement, elevated serum anti-dsDNA antibody and rheumatoid factor, and increased splenic B220+CD4-CD8- T cells. Notably, SH3BP2 deficiency in B cells did not rescue the lupus-like phenotypes. Furthermore, SH3BP2 deficiency did not substantially affect the characteristics of T cells and macrophages in vitro. Interestingly, SH3BP2 deficiency suppressed the differentiation of dendritic cells in vitro and reduced the number of dendritic cells in the spleen of the lupus-prone mice.Conclusions: SH3BP2 deficiency ameliorated clinical and immunological manifestations in lupus-prone mice, possibly via targeting dendritic cell differentiation. Modulating SH3BP2 expression could thus provide a novel therapeutic approach to autoimmune diseases.