NKG2DL upregulation and NKG2D signaling activation in effector CD8 T cells play a role in the onset or development of some autoimmune diseases, including vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, alopecia areata, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), among others (36–41). The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is alopecia areata.