IL17A and systemic lupus erythematosus: Furthermore, Zhu et al. (91) reported significantly higher expression of the Th17 transcription factor RORγt and IL-17 levels in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) combined with atherosclerosis as compared with that in SLE-only patients and control groups, and significantly lower Treg numbers and the expression of the transcription factor Foxp3, further suggesting that Th17/Treg imbalance may play a role in atherosclerosis formation and development.