Anti-CD154 antibody treatment prior to disease onset prolonged survival, prevented proteinuria, decreased levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, and ameliorated glomerulonephritis in murine systemic lupus erythematosus models such as (NZB × NZW) F1 and (SWR × NZB) F1 mice19,20. The gene discussed is CD40LG; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.