Purified human CD4+ T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies exhibited robust production of lupus-related pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, and IL-6) upon anti-CD3/CD28 beads stimulation. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.