TNF and systemic lupus erythematosus: In inflammatory diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as IL-1β, IL-21, IL-23, and TNF-α, phosphorylates and activates STAT-3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), inhibiting differentiation in immunosuppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells and stimulating differentiation in autoimmune Th17-cells [23].