Infiltrating mononuclear cells are the major source of IL-6 in diseased kidneys affected by lupus nephritis [25], IL-6 can in return promote macrophage activation, it is elevated in the serum and urine of some lupus patients, and murine lupus models support a role for IL-6 in nephritis [26, 27]. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus.