Previous studies have shown that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-16 can effectively amplify the inflammatory process and has an immunomodulatory function.[42] The activation of IL-16 can also aggravate infectious, immune-mediated, and autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including viral infections, systemic lupus erythematosus, irritable bowel syndrome, atopic dermatitis, and neurodegenerative diseases.[43] Kawabata et al have shown that IL-16 can be used as a biomarker to evaluate the severity of skin sclerosis. This evidence concerns the gene IL16 and systemic lupus erythematosus.