There were no significant differences in the plasma concentrations of IL-27 among the different groups of MRL/lpr mice treated with LZ–SMS compared with those in the PBS-treated mice (Fig. 6e, P = 0.156), even though the plasma concentrations in the moderate and severe SLE mice were significantly lower than those of the Balb/c mice (all P < 0.01). The gene discussed is IL27; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.