In conclusion, we found an increased proportion of the PD-1+cTfh1, PD-1+cTfh2, PD-1+cTfh17, and ICOS+PD-1+cTfh1 cell subsets in SLE patients, which was associated with the disease activity of SLE patients. The gene discussed is ICOS; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.