FCM results indicated that the ratio of annexin V+/7-AAD− subset and annexin V+/7-AAD+ subset of the DM patients (n = 13) increased significantly compared with those of the healthy control subjects (n = 12) (z = − 2.611, p = 0.009; z = − 3.046, p = 0.002, respectively) (Fig. 2a). The gene discussed is ANXA5; the disease is dermatomyositis.