A plethora of cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE, including an excess of interferons (IFNs), B cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation inducing ligand, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, tumour necrosis factor, as well as deficiency of IL-2 and IL-10.2 Treatments are under study that target these cytokines, such as type I IFN, to potentially mitigate against SLE pathogenesis. The gene discussed is IL2; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.