ApoE seraconcentrations positively correlated with SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA antibody and therelated cytokines including IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10, and uncorrelated with theconcentration of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in SLE patients.After 4 weeks prednisone treatment, the relative mRNA expression of apoE andthe serum levels of apoE and related cytokines decreased. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.