IL6 and systemic sclerosis: Therefore, to explore the effect of IL-31 on cytokine and chemokine expression in SSc DFs, we stimulated SSc DFs with rhIL-31 and evaluated the expression of the following cytokines that are expressed in DFs and drive Th2 immune responses: IL-6, IL-33, and CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 240–42.