More specifically, NEU1 expression and catalytic activity were increased in the kidneys of MRL/lpr lupus mice (339), and kidney mesangial cells from NEU1-haplodeficent mice had reduced cytokine expression and secretion in response to LPS or lupus serum (LS) compared with NEU1-expressing mice (340). This evidence concerns the gene NEU1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.