Th17 cells secrete proinflammatory cytokines such as Interleukins IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 (4–6), playing pivotal roles in host defense and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including autoimmune thyroid disease (7) systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis (5, 6, 8–10). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and systemic lupus erythematosus.