While the ability of elite control-associated alleles, such as Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-B57 and B27, to induce strong CD8+ responses undoubtedly depends on their ability to bind particular viral peptides, these MHC alleles are also associated with autoimmunity and resistance to other infections, suggesting that more general properties of these molecules may underlie their ability to generate potent CD8+ T cell responses (3–5). Here, CD8A is linked to infection.