Because Helios is also present on activated CD4+ Tconvs (38) that are exposed chronically to cognate antigens (39, 40), our data suggest that a chronic autoimmune context is associated with the maintenance of the Heliosmid phenotype over time in a population of activated effector CD4+ T cells in these mouse models of lupus. The gene discussed is IKZF2; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.