It also promotes the activation and survival of monocytes and macrophages in inflamed tissues.8 Clinical findings have shown that GM-CSF is associated with various inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and lung diseases.8,9 An animal study, conducted by Lam and colleagues, showed that experimental periodontitis decreased when GM-CSF had been blocked.10 Studies have reported that GM-CSF induces periodontal inflammation in response to periodontal bacteria and plays an important role in pathological bone destruction.11–13. The gene discussed is CSF2; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.