Knockout of Rubicon in all cells or Atg5 in macrophages does not completely abrogate phagocytic breakdown but still has severe long-term consequences if mice are repeatedly injected with dead thymocytes, such as the development of autoinflammatory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease74, although an independent study using a genetic model of lupus did not confirm this75. This evidence concerns the gene ATG5 and systemic lupus erythematosus.