In addition, the MFI of TIM-3 on TIM-3+PD-1+ NK cells was significantly elevated compared with that in the TIM-3+PD-1−NK cells in the SLE patients (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2i); however, the MFI of PD-1 on the TIM-3+PD-1+ NK cells and TIM-3−PD-1+ NK cells did not show any notable differences (P < 0.05) (Fig. 2j). Here, PDCD1 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.