Therefore, this study simultaneously assessed the expression of both inducing (Fas, TRAIL, TNFR1, Bax, and Bim) and inhibitory (Bcl-2) apoptosis-related proteins from the extrinsic (Fas, FasL, TRAIL, and TNFR1), the intrinsic (Bcl-2, Bax, and Bim), and the caspase-dependent (caspase-3) pathways in peripheral NK cells of patients with jSLE and investigated the relations with disease activity parameters, nephritis and neuropsychiatric involvement. This evidence concerns the gene CASP3 and nephritis.