CTCF and systemic lupus erythematosus: Our findings suggest that CTCF regulates 5hmC modification of these genes by recruiting TET (ten-eleven translocation) protein, and CTCF knockdown affected the protein expression of these genes in vitro.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Our findings demonstrate the increased 5hmC distribution in plasma cfDNA in different disease activity in patients with SLE compared with HCs and relating DhMRs involved in SLE-associated pathways.