Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations and the production of autoantibodies, making early diagnosis challenging. Traditional diagnostic methods lack sensitivity and specificity, leading to delayed intervention and irreversible organ damage. Single-cell technologies offer a novel opportunity to investigate the cellular landscape of SLE at the level of individual cells. By profiling the gene expression, protein expression, and functional states of thousands of individual cells simultaneously, these technologies can reveal critical findings such as the expansion of type I interferon-producing pDCs and dysregulated T/B cell subsets involved in SLE pathogenesis. This editorial highlights the transformative potential of single-cell analysis in identifying disease-relevant cell populations and their functional states, ultimately paving the way for earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment, and improved outcomes for patients with SLE.
