Importantly, the essential role of CTLA-4 in autoimmune regulation was further highlighted by the fact that blockade of CTLA-4 signaling in multiple animal models resulted in aggravation of autoimmune diseases (Karandikar et al., 1996; Luhder et al., 1998; Chitnis et al., 2001). The gene discussed is CTLA4; the disease is autoimmune disease.