In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the joints, autophagy has a critical role in TNF-induced joint destruction (in murine experimental arthritis); TNF activates autophagy by induction of BECN1 and ATG7 and the conversion from MAP1LC3B-I to MAP1LC3B-II in osteoclasts, providing a mechanism for TNF-associated synovial inflammation and bone resorption.92 Here, ATG7 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.