LGALS9 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Furthermore, treatment with galectin-9 induces apoptosis in plasma cells purified from MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice, and the effect cannot be prevented with anti-Tim-3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb); this suggests the involvement of a non-Tim-3 receptor for galectin-9-mediated apoptosis in plasma cells [30].