To ascertain that the observed data were associated not only to serositis but more generally to SLE, a sub-analysis performed in other major lupus-related clinical manifestations (nephritis, arthritis, skin, and neuropsychiatric involvement) excluded the association with the activity and expression of P2X7R, NLRP3 and production of IL-1 β and IL-6 (see Supplementary Tables 1–4). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and arthritic joint disease.