GDF3 and systemic lupus erythematosus: RT-PCR analyses of total cellular RNA further confirmed expression of pluripotency-associated genes, including OCT3/4, SOX2, GDF3, telomerase (TERT), KLF4, c-MYC and NANOG in the WT-iPS, SLE-iPS and ADPKD-iPS cell clones (Figure 2B).