CD69 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Among the top 20 regulated genes in response to both conditions (Figure 5); CD69 is an early marker of lymphocyte activation, with a complex regulatory function of the immune response, particularly in T cells and natural killer cells, and is associated with various autoimmune/chronic inflammatory diseases such as systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, and chronic bronchitis [33].