The elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human IFN-γ-secreting TH17 cells and the similarity in gene expression profiles between human IFN-γ-secreting TH17 cells and mouse pathogenic TH17 cells indicates a higher pro-inflammatory capacity of human TH1/17 cells and additionally provides transcriptional evidence to support the role of human TH1/17 in the pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is autoimmune disease.