IL17A and systemic lupus erythematosus: Data derived mainly from lupus studies suggest that T and B cell dysregulation heightens production of cytokines such as inteleukin-17 (IL-17), interferon γ (ΙFNγ), and more recently interferon α (ΙFNα), a central cytokine in both lupus and SS pathogenesis, which have been all considered to contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk of these patients.