Memory CD8+ T cells in mice have been shown to express higher levels of IFNR1 (interferon receptor 1) than naïve cells [71] and selective IFN-induced apoptosis of pre-existing memory CD8+ T cells during infection has been documented [65, 66], raising the possibility that this mechanism of IFN-α induced memory CD8+ T cell death may be impacting CD8+ T cell population dynamics in JSLE. This evidence concerns the gene IFNA1 and infection.