CD4+ T helper cells play several key roles in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis: T helper 1 (Th1) cells are responsible for high-level production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which stimulates dendritic cell and myeloid cell production of interleukin-(IL)-1, IL-6, IL-12, IL-18, TNF-α, and BAFF creating a perpetual proinflammatory loop; T helper 2 cells (Th2) produce cytokines (IL-4, IL-5), which induce antibody isotype class-switching leading to the production of high affinity, pathogenic autoantibodies [reviewed in Ref. Here, IL6 is linked to lupus nephritis.