IL6 and atherosclerosis: Evidence of the association of a human 15LO polymorphism with the risk of cardiovascular disease is mixed: 15LO gene variants have been reported to associate with carotid plaque formation (but not carotid intima-media thickness) [44], and integrative predictive models include Alox15 (gene encoding human 15LO) polymorphism as a factor in the development of coronary artery calcification in atherosclerosis [45], as well as in enhanced expression of IL-6, TNFα and IL-1β [46].