CD8A and leishmaniasis: Murine models of leishmaniasis suggest that CD8+ T cells participate through IFN-γ production.[72] There is also a large cytotoxic factor that plays an important role in cytotoxicity and apoptosis of autologous Leishmania-infected macrophages leading to cure.[72] It has been postulated that dendritic cells activate CD8+ T cells through mechanisms that include antigen cross-presentation, yet the exact mechanisms underlying CD8+ T cell activation in patients with leishmaniasis are unknown.[72]