IL6 and silicosis: Meanwhile, in silicosis mice, Th17 cells play an essential role in promoting inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis; on the one hand, Th17 cells increase the production of IL-22 and IL-1β by affecting the homeostasis of Th cell-mediated immune responses (36), and on the other hand, the production of IL-17 by Th17 cells can increase the production of IL-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) production, which are involved in promoting inflammatory and fibrotic processes in the lung (6, 36).