IL6 and atherosclerosis: Both transcription factors could activate genes related to inflammation (e.g., IL6, IL8), atherosclerosis (e.g., VCAM1, ICAM1), and positive feedback of AGE-RAGE axis (i.e., RAGE), while AP-1 could additionally induce transcription of the transforming growth factor β1 (TGFB1) gene of the TGF-β/SMAD pathway [147].