In contrast, RA synoviocytes exposed to Cd and Zn combined in the presence of cytokines produced a far more abundant quantity of IL-6 (mean ± SD) 260 ± 30 ng/ml in Cd Zn exposed synoviocytes vs. 44 ± 25 ng/ml in Cd only exposed synoviocytes, p<0.01). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.