CD53 and systemic lupus erythematosus: These include (a) increased intracellular basal lactate levels and decreased ATP production, (b) decreased glucose-uptake by these cells attributable to the defective expression of the glucose transporters, GLUT-3 and GLUT-6, (c) reduced redox capacity, including decreased intracellular GSH levels and enzymatic activity of GSH-Px and GGT, and (d) normal CD53 expression in SLE-T but increased expression in SLE-PMN.