Injection of shAtg5 lentivirus into lupus-susceptible mice resulted in decreased autophagy levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes, decreased numbers of lymphadenopathy, plasma cells, CD4-CD8- and CD4+ T-cells, proteinuria, serum anti-dsDNA antibodies, B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and glomerular immune complex deposition levels were reduced, and lupus symptoms improved (92). Here, CD8A is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.