MAPK3 and systemic lupus erythematosus: It is known that the innate immune system is activated by TLRs, which leads to downstream activation of MAP-kinases and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, which serve as transcription factors for the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (24). In this study, we observed several inflammation-related proteins in the MAP-kinases and ERK1/2 signaling pathways were significantly altered in SLE patients, consistent with previous studies (25).