For example, in a cohort of hepatitis C-infected patients treated with pegylated IFN-α over 28 weeks, a progressive upregulation of CD38 expression on CD8+ T cells was observed.26 Blocking the IFN-α receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2) prevented induction of the activation markers, CD38 and CD69, by HIV-exposed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.35 The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is hepatitis C virus infection.