IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Cytokines play a central role in the pathogenesis of SLE.278,279 A wide range of cytokines are considered immunopathological in the initiation and development of human SLE, such as IFNs, TNF, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12.280,281 Increased serum IFN and expression of IFN-inducible genes mediated by the JAK/STAT pathway is thought to be pivotal in the molecular pathogenesis of SLE.