The mean inhibition by CD4+CD25low/-GITR+ cells from HC was equal to 16.8% ±12.9% and the mean inhibition by CD4+CD25low/-GITR+ cells from SLE patients was equal to 27.2% ±14.5%, confirming that the regulatory activity of cells from SLE was higher than that from HC, when the inhibition of the same effectors was evaluated. The gene discussed is CD4; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.