IL6 and systemic sclerosis: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, may play several roles in the pathogenesis of SSc, including promoting the differentiation of B-cells to immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells, the differentiation of T-cells towards a Th17 phenotype, and the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts [63].