As shown in Figure 2, the serum levels of NLRP1, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels were remarkably enhanced in the ischemic stroke patients compared with the carotid atherosclerosis patients, while no significant differences in serum IL-10 and interferon-γ levels were found between 2 groups. Here, IL6 is linked to carotid atherosclerosis.