Consistent with previous studies (25, 26), we observed significant lymphopenia in SLE patients compared with HC (Figure 1B) and significant decrease in all lymphocyte subpopulations (including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, DN T cells, B cells, NK cells and DC) (Figures 1C, D), validating our technical approach. Here, CD8A is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.