To investigate the expression profile of IL-23R and IL-17A (referred to as IL-17) in T lymphocytes from SLE patients, PBMCs were isolated and immediately stained for cell surface markers (CD4, CD8 and IL-23R) and intracellular cytokines (IL-17) (Day 0). The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.