In patients with NX and NXG, a marked increase in the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6) (Figs4b), soluble cytokine receptors (sIL-6R, sTNFRI and sTNFRII) (Fig.4c) and adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) (Fig.4d) was observed relative to all control groups. Here, VCAM1 is linked to necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.