CD8A and systemic lupus erythematosus: Expanded CD8 memory T cells have been associated with poor disease outcome measures when combined with transcriptional profiling in adults with SLE.28, 29 Previous research suggested that CD8 EM T cells have decreased proliferative capacity and a strong inclination towards apoptosis in SLE, while expressing high levels of interferon-γ, granzyme B, and perforin, thus potentially contributing to chronic inflammation and organ damage.30