ZBTB33 binds to a motif in the Ctse locus in a methylation-dependent manner, and subsequently represses the expression of Cathepsin E and IL-10 in murine thymoma EL-4 cells, and in CD4+ T cells of MRL/lpr mice or patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (182). Here, CTSE is linked to thymoma.