The concentration of TNF-α in comparison to that from splenocytes derived from PBS-treated mice decreased by 4.25-fold, IFN-γ by 3-fold, and IL-6 by 3.6-fold, whereas mice with lupus treated with TPC exhibited a 3.5-fold reduction of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α secretion compared to that from mice with lupus treated with tuftsin. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and systemic lupus erythematosus.