Elevated HDL levels; reduced endotoxin-induced clinical symptoms, i.e., chills, myalgia, backache, nausea, and vomiting; reduced plasma cytokine levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8; inhibited early leukopenia, monopenia, and neutropenia; reduced monocyte CD14 expression. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is neutropenia.