This is because Aire-deficient (Aire−/−) mice exhibit different pictures than human APS1 (160, 161); typically, the exocrine glands are targets of autoimmunity, while the adrenal cortex, and other endocrine glands, shows little or no damage (108, 109, 111). The gene discussed is AIRE; the disease is autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1.