KLRB1 and bacterial infectious disease: Given that the fate of Th17 cells can be shaped by inflammatory conditions9, 20 and that Th17 cells play an important role in regulating immunity against fungal and bacterial pathogens in the FRT23, we hypothesized that alteration of the genital microenvironment and/or bacterial infections would be in part responsible for the unique pattern of CD161 expression observed in the FRT.