It is plausible that in T1D, these NK subpopulations exert an immunoregulatory function — preventing apoptosis of autoreactive CD4+ T cells via NKG2A expression and shielding activated dendritic cells and B cells from lysis through CD161, while resisting AICD themselves, potentially due to the protective role of CD8. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.