The expression of seven IFN-inducible chemokine genes (RANTES, MCP-1, MIG, IP-10, CXCL11, IL-8 and CCL19) and five classic IFIGs (IFIT1, IFIT3, Mx1, OAS1 and Ly6e) in peripheral blood cells from 67 SLE patients, 20 RA patients and 23 healthy donors were measured using real-time reverse transcription PCR. The gene discussed is MX1; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.