In terms of proinflammatory signaling, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is one of the key cytokines implicated in the development of RA – its presence in RA joint tissue (Chu et al., 1991) and its potential to degrade cartilage is well‐established (Araki & Mimura, 2016; Dayer et al., 1985). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.