IL6 and atherosclerosis: Findings corroborating this assumption are that (1) the proatherogenic role of IL‐1β and/or IL‐6 have been previously demonstrated in apoE−/− mice,33 (2) IL‐6 mRNA and protein are expressed in the aorta of atherosclerotic apoE−/− mice and correlate with the extent and size of the plaques,34 and (3) administration of supraphysiological concentrations of exogenous IL‐6 in the murine apoE−/− deficient model of atherosclerosis dramatically enhances atherosclerotic lesion formation.