It is generally recognized that pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12, IL-1β, and IL-6 are the major contributors promoting inflammatory environments suitable for conversion of Treg cells into different types of ex-Treg cells under conditions of varied immune disorders such as ocular infection43, helminth infection49, or autoimmune diseases13–15 (asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.