IL18 and systemic lupus erythematosus: Of note, further correlation analysis revealed the possible association of Metrnβ with the disturbed immune response of SLE patients, as there was a positive correlation of Metrnβ with CXCL9 (r = 0.4660, p = 0.0164), IL10 (r = 0.4532, p = 0.0176), IL18 (r = 0.5005, p = 0.0105) and IL1RA (r = 0.4773, p = 0.0118) (Figure 4C).