Furthermore, BMDCs from lupus-prone NZM mice demonstrated more pronounced up-modulation of maturation markers in response to Hb, compared with responses observed in non-lupus prone FVB mice, while Fe2+ Hb induced significantly higher increases in CD80 and CD83, Fe3+ Hb induced significantly higher increases in CD80, CD83, CD86, and CD40 (Figure 3A). Here, CD40 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.