TNF and rheumatoid arthritis: As already mentioned, several recent studies have shown that CTS attenuates the inflammatory response through the downregulation of macrophage differentiation toward the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6)12,27,28. Therefore, all of the aforementioned evidence points to a possible link between RA and CST through either an immunomodulatory or atherogenic role.