Notably, enhanced levels of IL-6 and TGF-β cytokines were shown to be detected prior to the elevated Th17 levels in those cases reflected that priming of these cells (autologous stem-cells) by IL-6, and TGF-β was needed to trigger the pathogenic Th17 cells and consecutive evolution of autoreactive TSHR-specific B cells (Fig. ​ (Fig. 2) .2).