NEK7 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Results demonstrated that levels of NEK7 and NLRP3 were lower in PBMCs from SLE patients (p = 0.0317, Fig. 2a; p = 0.0079, Fig. 2b, respectively).However, there were no differences in ASC levels between the two groups (p = 0.8413, Fig. 2c).