mTOR contributes to T cell dysfunction, apoptosis, and reduced CD4+/CD8+ ratio in SLE (0.72 ± 0.12%) patients, as well as a significant increase of CD8+ T cells (p<0.001) due to upstream depleted glutathione levels and mitochondrial hyperpolarization (218). This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and systemic lupus erythematosus.