The observations that γδ T cells from CD73-/- mice possess enhanced Th17-promoting activity, whereas CD73-/- mice are less susceptible to induction of EAU, suggest that CD73 molecules expressed on different cell types have diverse biological functions and that functional deficiency of CD73 on some cells promotes susceptibility to autoimmune disease, while deficiency on other cell types might promote suppression. The gene discussed is NT5E; the disease is autoimmune disease.