CD8+T cells are indeed found to constitute clonal expansions in the synovium of early RA patients,127 but whether this is primarily related to, for example, citrulline reactivity of CD8+T cells,128 granzyme K+CD8+ cells,129 a bystander recruitment to the inflammatory milieu or the link between a viral ‘second hit’ remains to be elucidated. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.