An intravenous pulse CYC regime has been the "gold standard" immunosuppressive regime for the treatment of LN. The activation of lymphocytes, production of autoantibody, and high expression of IFN-γ in the circulation and renal tissue are important indicators of renal injury in SLE. Previous clinical and animal studies have shown that TAC therapy inhibits T-lymphocyte activation, suppresses cytokine production in lymphocytes, suppresses antigen-induced monokine (TNF-α) production in macrophages, reduces interleukin-2 mRNA expression, decreases serum levels of IFN-γ and IFN-γ mRNA expression in the kidney and spleen, and decreases serum levels of IgG-class anti-DNA antibodies. A recent study also showed that TAC treatment affects B-cell antibody responses indirectly by interfering with T-helper cells.