NGF and systemic lupus erythematosus: The numbers of B cells producing NGF and BDF were greater in the SLE group than in healthy controls (NGF, 29.3 ± 31.3 vs 11.3 ± 20.9, p=0.02; BDNF, 71.2 ± 30.9 vs 47.9 ± 27.8, p=0.03, Figure 5).