The role of sCTLA-4 in T cell responses and inflammatory diseases have been recently highlighted by the description of the association of CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms (49 G/G and CT60 G/G) with the risk for common autoimmune diseases, such as Graves' disease, autoimmune hypothyroidism, and type I diabetes [18]. Here, CTLA4 is linked to Hashimoto thyroiditis.