IL17A and systemic lupus erythematosus: ELISA confirmed cytokine dysregulation: SLE patients exhibited elevated IL-4 (p = 0.0099) and IL-17 (p = 0.0069), but reduced IL-2 (p = 0.0464) and TGF-β (p = 0.0237), consistent with Th2/Th17 hyperactivity and impaired Th1/Treg function (Fig. 1G).