In a substudy from MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) on 772 participants free of CV disease and with an average BMI of 28 kg/m2, serum hsCRP as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 were both associated with increased interstitial myocardial fibrosis by cardiac magnetic resonance in men34. Here, IL6 is linked to atherosclerosis.