The progressive destruction of articular structures, characteristic for RA, is not balanced by rebuilding of damaged tissues, which is caused by inhibiting effect of TNF-α and IL-1β on the formation of endogenous tissue inhibitors of these endopeptidases, i.e., tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) [13,19]. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.