Curdlan-administered SKG mice had increased numbers of α7 nAChR+ and IL-17A+ cells and higher clinical arthritis scores in their peripheral joints, and clinical arthritis scores and histologic inflammation were improved in cigarette smoke-exposed curdlan-administered SKG mice, along with a reduction in α7 nAChR+ and IL-17A+. The gene discussed is CHRNA7; the disease is Arthritis.