Autoreactive CD8 T cells in organ-specific autoimmunity: emerging targets for therapeutic intervention

The importance of CD8 T cells in the pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune diseases has not previously been well recognized. Recent evidence, however, indicates that autoreactive CD8 T cells can contribute substantially to tissue damage in both murine and human autoimmune disorders. As such, these T cells now become an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.