In this study, both Th1 cytokines (TNF-α and IL-12), and Th2 cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) were significantly higher in the plasma of SLE patients than healthy volunteers, with a sharper increase in Th2 cytokines, confirming a shift in the Th2/Th1 balance toward Th2 cytokines (Table 1). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.