Moreover, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SLE patients and macrophages derived from murine lupus also express Beclin 1, and the adoptive transfer of Beclin 1-knocked down macrophages decreases anti-dsDNA antibodies, proteinuria, and renal immune complex deposition through reduced cytokine production [153]. This evidence concerns the gene BECN1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.