Additionally, our results demonstrated high levels of IL-2, IL-17 and IFN-γ in plasma from SLE patients, particularly in active SLE patients, but plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 were not different among HC and SLE patients, which was partly consistent with previous reports (19, 33, 34, 37). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.