At the mRNA level, we detected a significant increase in transcripts coding for pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, IFN-γ, IL-12RB1), chemokines (CCL2, CXCL10) and inflammation-related transcription factors (TRAF6, TXB21, YY1) in AIDS patients compared to HIV-negative controls. Here, TNF is linked to AIDS.