CD4 and autoimmune disease: The gene KCNA3 is associated with voltage gated Kv 1.3 potassium ion channels and has been implicated in multiple sclerosis and autoimmune pancreatitis [27, 28] Functionally, KCNA3 has been shown to regulate CD4 T memory cell function [29, 30] via Kv 1.3 channels, which are considered an emerging target in autoimmune disease [31].