The increase in Aire mRNA expression at GD16.5 compared to NP correlates with increase in Aire-dependent self-antigen expression including Hbby, Prl8a2 and Trap1a. Hbby encodes fetal hemoglobin, and Trap1a is a cancer antigen that is strongly expressed in the placenta with a possible role in cell migration, but unknown function in the placenta (17, 18). The gene discussed is AIRE; the disease is cancer.