IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus: The plasma levels of these cytokines were significantly elevated in new-onset SLE patients (median: IL-6 new-onset SLE 114 pg ml−1, HD 100 pg ml−1, P = 0.0039; IL-8 new-onset SLE 142 pg ml−1, HD 110 pg ml−1, P = 0.0155; IP-10 new-onset SLE 2136 pg/ml−1, HD 117 pg ml−1, P = 0.0024) (Fig. 3A–C).