Accordingly, genes involved in DNA damage repair and signaling pathways, such as DDB1, ERCC2, XPA, XPC, MRE11A, RAD50, PARP1, MLH1, MLH3, and ATM were significantly underexpressed in SLE versus controls, whereas PPP1R15A, BARD1 and BBC3 genes implicated in apoptosis were significantly overexpressed. This evidence concerns the gene BARD1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.