ECD is initiated by multiple inflammatory factors in atherosclerosis; when the endothelium is injured, inflammatory mediators, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)are expressed. Here, IL6 is linked to atherosclerosis.