In particular, adiponectin levels are decreased in the metabolic diseases obesity (5, 6) and type 2-diabetes (5–7) but are elevated in classic chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (8–10), multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (11, 12). This evidence concerns the gene ADIPOQ and autoimmune disease.