PRKN and systemic lupus erythematosus: Parkin protein expression from the thoracic aorta was 62% lower in lpr_Control (0.38 ± 0.34 a.u.)compared to MpJ_Control (1.00 ± 0.05 a.u.), suggesting a potential impaired mitophagy in the aortas of SLE mice (Figure 4A,E).