Previous in vitro experiments have demonstrated that IL‐6 is essential for Th17 polarization in humans.6, 8 Blockade of IL‐6 has proven useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, another T cell‐mediated autoimmune disease, and therapeutic agents which target this pathway may also be beneficial in PBC.39 Our data also suggest that CCL20 could play a role in PBC pathogenesis. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is autoimmune disease.