IL6ST and atherosclerosis: Its involvement in the interaction between IL-6 and the soluble form of the membrane-bound alpha IL-6 receptor (sIL-6Rα) results in an inflammatory cascade associated with atherosclerosis.[42] The cleavage of the membrane-bound gp130 receptor releases a soluble form of gp130 into the bloodstream.[43] Furthermore, elevated concentrations of sgp130 have been proposed to block the classic signaling pathway by sequestering free IL-6 into IL-6:IL-6Rα:sgp130 complexes.