It is also possible that SLE B cells are refractory to stimulation by pDCs; upon stimulation with CpGC, healthy pDCs induced a partial increase of CD24+CD38hi Breg cells from SLE B cells, whereas SLE pDCs failed to induce CD24+CD38hi Breg cells from SLE B cells (Figure 5B). The gene discussed is CD24; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.