We observed that in vivo expression of IL-23 alone was sufficient to drive the expansion of DN T cells without affecting the integrity of MZM barrier (Supplementary Figs. 8 and 9), which is consistent with our previous reports that Il23r-deficient lupus-prone B6.lpr mice have decreased numbers of DN T cells32. This evidence concerns the gene IL23R and systemic lupus erythematosus.