Previous studies by our group with mixed collectives of both sexes indicate that especially ICOS+ T cells play a role in the transition from low to high disease activity in SLE patients, as an age-independently increased ratio of ICOS+ Tregs/Tresps was shown in SLE patients in remission (median value 0.55, range 0.24–1.30) compared to healthy controls (median value 0.51, range 0.15–1.33; p < 0.05), but a decreased ratio in active SLE patients (mean value 0.38, range 0.14–0.72; p < 0.01) [32]. This evidence concerns the gene ICOS and systemic lupus erythematosus.