Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with production of elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-12, IL-6, IL-1, IL-23, and TNFα, that are involved in activation of naïve T cells and directing their polarization into TH1 and TH17 cells. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.