SLE immature BM FLDCs expressed lower levels of CD123 (SLE versus controls = 3.182 ± 0.956 versus 20.841 ± 14.258; P < 0.01), CD11c (SLE versus controls = 11.149 ± 2.777 versus 47.918 ± 20.843; P < 0.05), CD45-RA (SLE versus controls = 6.824 ± 2.663 versus 11.355 ± 3.925; P < 0.05) and HLA-DR (SLE versus controls = 9.908 ± 4.211 versus 38.906 ± 9.129; P < 0.01) than normal controls (Figure 2b). This evidence concerns the gene ITGAX and systemic lupus erythematosus.