The etiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) remain unclear. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ),a Th1-type cytokine, may be involved in the pathogenesis and inflammatory process of SLE. This article reviews reports on the serum IFN-γ of SLE patients and mouse SLE models, in vitro secreted IFN-γ, expression of IFN-γ induced protein and IFN-γ related genes, and treatment with traditional Chinese medicines.