IL-6 reverses miR-98-mediated PBMC function in SLE. (a) PBMC cells of SLE patients were transfected with IL-6 overexpression vector or empty vector, then IL-6 protein levels in supernatants were detected by ELISA. MTT assay shows that overexpression of IL-6 could disrupt the inhibition effect of miR-98 mimics on PBMCs of SLE patients (b) and inhibition of IL-6 could enhance the effect of miR-98 inhibitor on PBMCs (c). PBMCs were transfected with miR-98 mimics and/or IL-6 overexpression vector; the expression of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-10 in cells and their levels in a medium was detected by qRT-PCR (d, e) and ELISA (h–k), respectively. PBMCs were transfected with miR-98 inhibitor and/or IL-6 overexpression vector; the expression of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-10 in cells and their levels in a medium was detected by qRT-PCR (f, g) and ELISA (l–o), respectively. Data are means of three separated experiments ± SD; ∗p < 0.01.