A further observation supporting a protective role of LNSCs in autoimmunity after TLR3 triggering is provided by the significant higher induction of COL4A1 (collagen type IV alpha 1 chain) in RA-risk individuals compared with healthy controls and the trend towards lower induction of IL-7 in individuals with systemic autoimmunity. The gene discussed is COL4A1; the disease is Autoimmunity.