Given the strong link between IL-2 and autoimmunity, it seems appealing to consider the use of IL-2 as a therapeutic tool for T1 D. However, this might prove quite challenging, as IL-2 is first and foremost a T cell growth factor, and as such, has strong proliferative effects on all T cells, including pathogenic CD4+ and CD8+ Teff cells. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and Autoimmunity.