IL1B and rheumatoid arthritis: However, in patients with RA, immune cells including T cells, B cells, and macrophages penetrate the affected synovial tissues and promote the overexpression, release, and activity of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, TNF-induced NF-κB, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ [3, 161, 162].