Research has revealed that in OSA patients, cytokines promoting Th17 differentiation, such as IL-6 and IL-17, are markedly increased, while TGF-β1 levels are decreased, creating an inflammatory cytokine-dominated immune microenvironment, thus disrupting the Th17/Treg balance (160, 161). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.