The proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells [7.14 (6.12–8.55) % vs. 5.89 (4.75–7.65) %; P < 0.05] and CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells [1.11 (0.73–1.66) % vs. 0.54 (0.41 − 1.00) %; P < 0.01] was higher in the active RA group than in the inactive RA group, and no difference was observed between the inactive RA group and HCs (Fig. 1b, c). The gene discussed is FOXP3; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.