Consistent with the production of anti-Sm and RNP auto-Abs in TLR7hi SLE patients, flow cytometry analysis using fluorescently labeled Sm/RNP showed a significant increase of Sm/RNP+ cells in the TLR7hi SLE group, as compared to TLR7norm/lo SLE and HCs (Figures 5A,B). This evidence concerns the gene RNPC3 and systemic lupus erythematosus.