a) An autoimmune type, highlighted by features occurring in systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g., arthralgias, dry eyes, Raynaud’s phenomenon), moderate C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation, frequent autoantibody positivity (anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-heart antibodies (AHA) and anti-intercalated disk autoantibodies (AIDA). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is dry eye syndrome.