The expression level of ATG5 was significantly higher in SLE PBMC and LN tubulointerstitial samples than those of controls (1794.00 ± 240.22 versus 1541.73 ± 201.64, P = 6.27 × 10−5; 6.75 ± 0.19 versus 6.46 ± 0.20, P = 1.82 × 10−5) while in glomeruli samples of LN only marginal significant association was observed (7.86 ± 0.22 versus 7.73 ± 0.15, P = 0.053). The gene discussed is ATG5; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.