The levels of PGRN, IL-6, TNFR, TNF-α, PR3 and dsDNA antibody in SLE patients (both pre-treatment and post-treatment) with SLEDAI ≥ 10 were up-regulated significantly compared with that of the normal controls (p < 0.05, Table 2). This evidence concerns the gene PRTN3 and systemic lupus erythematosus.