Additionally, we found an intriguing population marker expression for this cluster corresponding to CD3+CD8+CD27− T effector memory CD45RA+ (TEMRA) cells—a T cell population with potent effector functions that include the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic molecules (30); these were significantly increased in the periphery blood of patients with NEC compared to controls. Here, CD8A is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis.