IL6 and atherosclerosis: Specifically, IL-6 is secreted as a circulating cytokine in a wide range of cells (including macrophages, monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells) and serves as a potent inducer and proinflammatory factor for Th17 cells.IL-6 signaling induces a downstream inflammatory response leading to an elevation of acute-phase reactants, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, etc., and therefore contributes to an increase in atherosclerosis (33).