LGALS9 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Serum levels of Gal-9 were significantly increased in patients with SLE compared with the control group (16.6 ng/ml, [interquartile range (IQR); 3.6–59.7] versus 4.74 ng/ml, [IQR; 3.0–9.5], p<0.0001).