This observation is in line with several recent studies that have shown that a “molecular scar” of TOX expression and epigenetic accessibility is present in memory CD8 T cells generated in settings of persistent antigen exposure, such as chronic viral infection or T1D (Wieland et al, 2017; Abdelsamed et al, 2020; Charmoy et al, 2021; Heim et al, 2021; Hensel et al, 2021; Tonnerre et al, 2021; Yates et al, 2021). This evidence concerns the gene TOX and type 1 diabetes mellitus.