These qPCR results are consistent with the observed decrease in IFNγ (T‐bet) and IL‐17 (RORC) secretion levels and are particularly interesting as several investigations have associated IL‐21 to autoimmune diseases (Korn et al., 2007; Peluso et al., 2007; Attridge et al., 2012). This evidence concerns the gene IL17A and autoimmune disease.