The fact that Gal-9 also reduces Tim-3+ CD44+ CD8+ T cells in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice suggests that Tim-3+ CD44+ CD8+ T cells are also associated with lupus pathogenesis in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice, since infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in lupus kidney indicate that they have the potential to mediate kidney injury [29]. This evidence concerns the gene LGALS9 and systemic lupus erythematosus.