Importantly, sIL-6R levels were significantly correlated with sgp130 levels (r=0.34, p<0.01, Table 4), which we had also previously seen in healthy individuals as well as patients with type 2 diabetes and which led us to conclude that these two proteins constitute a natural occurring buffer system that is able to neutralize low amounts of IL-6 in the circulation (27). The gene discussed is IL6ST; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.