In addition, the proportions of cells stained with TRIM21 but not with STING significantly decreased, whereas those of cells stained with STING or IFNα but not with TRIM21 increased in PBMCs of patients with SLE (Fig. 6h), indicating a negative correlation between the levels of expression of TRIM21 and STING (Fig. 6i) or IFNα (Fig. 6j). This evidence concerns the gene TRIM21 and systemic lupus erythematosus.