Despite exhibiting an increase in plasma cells, frequency of splenic CD8+ T cells, expression of ISGs, increased β cell depletion, and insulitis marked by increased B cell infiltration at age 14 weeks, NOD.Ifih1R/R males did not show a significant increase or acceleration in diabetes incidence, suggesting that additional protective mechanisms may have ameliorated disease in males. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is diabetes mellitus.