Interestingly, IL-6 has also been demonstrated to be an important correlation factor between inflammation and atherosclerosis since TNF-α can stimulate IL-6, which in turn can modulate C-reactive protein (CRP, an inflammatory biomarker of cardiovascular risk) production in smooth muscle cells, negatively affecting the expression of adhesion molecules and endothelial function [28]. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and atherosclerosis.