Metabolically influenced STAT3 transcription appears to be clinically important, illustrated by a range of studies showing that PKM2-STAT3 signalling directs Th17 inflammatory signalling to drive EAE and arthritis (42, 43), and IL-1β expression in inflammatory epithelial cells and coronary artery disease macrophages (44, 45). This evidence concerns the gene PKM and arthritic joint disease.