CD8A and systemic lupus erythematosus: Notably, CD8+ T cells that have an elevated IFN-I gene signature exhibit mitochondrial aberrations, less functional mitochondria, decreased cell viability and are associated with SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus) development [147], contributing to immune imbalance, inflammation, tissue injury [148] granzyme B release, and the subsequent increase of the autoantigen load [149].