IL6 and systemic lupus erythematosus: We assessed the mRNA levels of these proinflammatory cytokines in the brains of lupus mice and found that the levels of M1‐associated factors, such as Il6, Il8, Tnfα and Ccl3, in the cortex were increased in MRL/lpr mice compared to control mice at 8 weeks of age, although the difference in Il8 levels was not significant (Figure 3E–H).