To investigate the mechanism underlying this process, Anna Greco (Radboud University Medical Center) studied the circulating markers from 150 FSHD patients and 98 healthy controls and found IL-6 and TNF-α to be significantly upregulated in FSHD, with IL-6 positively correlating with muscle weakness, disease severity, and duration. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.