IL17A and systemic lupus erythematosus: We previously reported elevated plasma MK and PTN concentrations in SLE compared with healthy controls, and the increase in MK and PTN levels correlated with inflammatory cytokine IL-17 and some clinical features/parameters, including rash and anti-SSA antibody, suggesting that an aberrant expression of MK and PTN might be involved in the progress of inflammation and the course of SLE (25).