These mechanisms may include the following: (a) proapoptotic action on CD4+ and CD8+ Teff cells, and B cells; (b) the down-regulation or prevention of activation-induced expression of CD25 on CD4+ and CD8+ Teff cells; both mechanisms shall be related to cells involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders; (c) the generation of CD4+ and CD8+ iTreg cells - via induction of Foxp3 expression in Foxp3-negative CD4+ and CD8+ T cells - resulting in the shift of the Treg cell/aTeff cell balance toward an increased proportion of Treg cells. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is autoimmune disease.