Since Treg cells play a crucial role in the prevention of autoimmune diseases, including lupus,65–69 and an HSD affects thymus-derived natural Treg (tTreg) cells,70 surprisingly, Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells, including induced Treg (iTreg) and nTreg cell subsets, showed no differences between the two lupus groups (Supplementary Fig. 3c). The gene discussed is FOXP3; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.