The Th1 lineage transcription factor T-bet (encoded by Tbx21 gene) is essential for the generation of ABCs, which was supported by the recent findings that conditional depletion of Tbx21 in B cells significantly abrogated the generation of CD11c+ B cells in lupus mice, along with lower serum antibody levels and ameliorated renal damages [40]. Here, ITGAX is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.