In addition, polymorphism of the ITGAM (integrin subunit alpha M) gene (a gene associated with the activation of monocytes/macrophages) is associated with SLE susceptibility (11), and inflammation and organ damage in lupus-prone mice were suppressed, and splenic macrophages decreased, after treatment with the agonist of ITGAM (54). This evidence concerns the gene ITGAM and systemic lupus erythematosus.