STAT3 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Interestingly, it has been found that IL-6 could promote the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into Th17 cells by activating the STAT3 pathway, but IL-6 could impair Treg differentiation (50), suggesting that IL-6 may also contribute to SLE development by meditating the Th17/Treg imbalance.