In addition, because there are redundant effector mechanisms for parasite elimination (such as IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion), the total number of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is a critical factor in determining the ability of CD8+ T cells to control liver-stage malaria parasites29, 37, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is malaria.