MFGE8 and systemic lupus erythematosus: In relation to lupus nephritis and MFGE8 protein, it was reported that MFG-E8 genetic polymorphism studies showed glomerulonephritis in both MFGE8 deficient mice and SLE patients, but did not show significant differences in MFGE8 genotype distributions between SLE patients with or without lupus nephritis26.