IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus: We first monitored the plasma cytokine levels of type TH1 (IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ), type TH2 (IL-4 and IL-6), type TH17 (IL-17), hematopoietic growth factor (IL-7), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interferon alpha (IFN-α) and B cell activating factors (BAFF and APRIL) in control non-lupus healthy mice and in the 3 experimental groups of lupus mice before and after infection with either live or gamma-irradiated (dead) malaria parasite.