CD8A and Autoimmunity: Studies focusing on the pathways of autoimmunity in HIV-infected individuals have suggested possible mechanisms that account for an autoimmune diathesis in affected patients, including: a) molecular mimicry processes [10], b) HIV-induced release of cytokines causing CD4+/polyclonal B-cell activation [49], c) emergence of autoantibodies [36], d) loss of regulatory CD8+ T-cells [36], and e) overt immune reconstitution after HAART induction [49].