The population of CD11c+ DCs was significantly increased in the splenic marginal zone (MZ) locally of wild-type (DBA/2) mice with splenomegaly but not in that of CatS deficient (CatS-/-) mice after systemic exposure to PgLPS for 7 consecutive days (5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal). The gene discussed is ITGAX; the disease is Splenomegaly.