Although about 20% of CD19−/low CD138+ plasma cells expressed Tim-3 in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice, Tim-3 may not be directly involved in the galectin-9-induced apoptosis, because anti-Tim-3 blocking antibody did not block galectin-9-induced apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene LGALS9 and systemic lupus erythematosus.