IL18 and systemic lupus erythematosus: In conclusion, proinflammatory cytokine IL-18 and IL-12 family cytokines IL-12 and IL-23 can promote the disease severity by activating pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells via the induction of downstream Th1 chemokine CXCL10 and inflammatory cytokine IL-17 in SLE.