IL6 and lobular neoplasia: In combination with immune complexes, monocytes/macrophages produce a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF, etc. It has been reported that IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF are highly overexpressed in the kidneys of mice and humans with LN (Aringer and Smolen, 2005), and thus directly linked to inflammation.