FOXP3 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Accordingly, the percentage ratios of the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells to the CD4+CD25– effector T cells obtained from the splenic, thymic and peripheral blood cells in the severe SLE mice treated with LZ–SMS, and from thymic and peripheral blood cells in moderate SLE mice with LZ–SMS treatment were significantly increased compared with PBS treatment group (Fig. 5d, e).