Moreover, activity in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis was found to be regulated by acupuncture with the promotion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT) secretion in the plasma, enhancing our understanding of the contribution of acupuncture to the regulation of airway inflammation and HPA axis activity in asthma [3]. The gene discussed is POMC; the disease is asthma.